Declan Rice refuses to give up Arsenal title hopes after Aston Villa defeat

Declan Rice believes Arsenal still have a chance to win the Premier League despite suffering a disappointing loss to Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Gunners were handed the chance to rise to the top of the league table after Liverpool were defeated by Crystal Palace earlier in the day. However, it was Manchester City who had the last laugh after both title rivals fell to shocking defeats.

Villa took all three points from Mikel Arteta's side, with two late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins leaving Arsenal two points behind City with six games to go.

Despite the dismay, midfielder Rice thinks Arsenal should have high hopes as they push on to achieve Premier League silverware.

He said: "It's not over yet. We're in an unbelievable position. We're still ready, we're still fully focused on what we want to do and what we can achieve.

"There's going to be many more twists and turns in the Premier League. Anything can happen.

"We have just got to stay positive. We have got six football matches that we need to give absolutely everything for and good things can still happen. We just need to focus on ourselves really."

Rice also believes that Arsenal's trip to Germany to face Bayern Munich in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final is a good opportunity to make a statement.

"It's the perfect game for a reaction," Rice continued. "We need a reaction on Wednesday night and it is a great chance to show our character and leadership.

"We've been on such an amazing run since January, won so many football matches, and got ourselves back into an unbelievable position after being written off at Christmas.

"It's a great chance for us to get into a Champions League semi-final. Going to the Allianz Arena, it's going to be a special night. It's time to pull our socks up and show everyone why we're in this position."

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