Tribal Football

Declan Rice hails Arsenal teammate who really 'stepped up' behind the scenes

Declan Rice lifting Arsenal's Premier League title
Declan Rice lifting Arsenal's Premier League titleReuters/Matthew Childs

Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy on Sunday following a 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park.

The Gunners had ended a 22-year wait for a league title in midweek after Manchester City dropped points against Bournemouth. 

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It was a moment Arsenal deserved after multiple second-place finishes, and midfielder Declan Rice played a huge role. 

Rice was everywhere in midfield throughout the campaign, doing everything in his power to inspire a title win. 

The 27-year-old wasn't alone in his influence, though, as he praised summer signing Eberechi Eze for the calmness he portrayed following their damaging 2-2 draw against Wolves in February. 

"He’s such a calm guy, you see how he is on the pitch, that’s how he is off the pitch. He just calmed everyone, and it was really nice," Rice said of Eze.

"That’s been another thing this season, there’s been a lot of people who have stepped up behind the scenes.

"Nobody would think they’re leaders but they’ve really been talking within the group and they’ve pushed people in quiet one to ones. It’s been a real group effort this season."

Eze isn't particularly known for his leadership, but clearly the former Crystal Palace talisman brought a sense of calm when Arsenal had to weather a storm, and that made all the difference.