Declan Rice Accidentally Suggests Arsenal Have Won the League – Then Apologises
Declan Rice had everyone chuckling after a classic case of the tongue getting ahead of the brain during a post-match interview. The Arsenal midfielder accidentally implied that his team had already clinched the Premier League title – only to swiftly own up with a sheepish “My bad.”
It all happened moments after Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup final with a hard-fought win over Chelsea. Here’s the full story of the light-hearted moment that has fans talking.
Arsenal Book Carabao Cup Final Spot with Gritty Win Over Chelsea
Arsenal edged closer to silverware by beating Chelsea 1-0 in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at the Emirates Stadium. Kai Havertz’s stoppage-time strike sealed a 4-2 aggregate victory and sent Mikel Arteta’s side through to the final – their first appearance there since 2018.
The tie was tense from start to finish. Arsenal took a 3-2 lead into the second leg, and while Chelsea pushed hard, the Gunners stood firm to claim the win. It was a performance built on heart, desire, and defensive resilience rather than just flair.
This result keeps Arsenal firmly in the hunt for a potential quadruple. They’re still alive in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and now the Carabao Cup.
Also Read: Ten Games, No Wins: Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal Unbeaten Record Against Chelsea Explained
Arsenal’s Strong Position in the Premier League Title Race
The north London club hasn’t lifted the Premier League trophy since the famous Invincibles season of 2003-04. They’ve finished runners-up in each of the last three campaigns, so ending that wait is the absolute priority this season.
Recent results have given Arsenal a real boost. They thumped Leeds United 4-0 on the road, while title rivals Aston Villa lost 1-0 to Brentford and Manchester City let a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
As a result, Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table with a six-point lead (based on the latest standings: 16 wins, 5 draws, 3 losses from 24 games, 53 points). With the season still unfolding, every point counts as they juggle domestic and European commitments.
The Moment Declan Rice Slipped Up – And Troy Deeney Pounced
After the Chelsea victory, Rice joined the CBS Sports panel to reflect on the win. Former Watford striker Troy Deeney was in the studio and asked how Arsenal managed the semi-final, especially having gone into the second leg with a narrow lead.
Rice started his answer confidently:
“We’re going into the game today, we knew we had the league, erm, the lead in the tie.”
The slip was instant – and Deeney didn’t miss it.
“The league already?” Deeney shot back with a grin.
Rice immediately burst out laughing and owned the mistake:
“My bad.”
It was a classic live-TV gaffe – the kind of moment that shows even top players can get carried away in the heat of the moment.
Rice Reflects on the Win, Fatigue, and What’s Next
Quickly moving on, Rice explained Arsenal’s mindset heading into the semi-final:
“We said to the boys before the game, ‘We’re one game from Wembley, how much do you want it?’ We haven’t been there for many years, today wasn’t just about playing nice football, sometimes it comes down to heart, desire and how much you want to win games of football in semi-finals. In the end, we got through the game and won 1-0. I don’t think Chelsea created much even though they played well, but in the end over the two ties we deserved it. We’re into a final now which we have to enjoy.”
He also admitted the packed schedule has taken its toll. In the six days before facing Chelsea, Arsenal played a Champions League clash against Kairat and then travelled to Leeds for a league match.
When asked how he felt after the game, Rice was honest:
“Shattered. Honestly, the schedule has been ridiculous and when you’re playing a team like Chelsea who have that many good players, they’re constantly making you think, making you work, credit to them. It could have gone either way tonight or the first-leg but everything we have been building towards over the last few years is beginning to come together this season. [We’re] into our first final for a very long time so we need to enjoy the moment.”
Why This Light-Hearted Moment Matters for Arsenal Fans
The slip-up was harmless and quickly brushed aside, but it captured the quiet confidence building inside the Arsenal camp. With a solid lead at the top of the table and a cup final to look forward to, the mood around the club is positive – even if Rice isn’t ready to hand out the title just yet.
Fans will hope the Gunners can keep this momentum going across all competitions. The road to silverware is long, but moments like this show the belief is there.
Also Read: Alejandro Garnacho’s Pre-Match Comments Backfire as Arsenal Beat Chelsea
Declan Rice Accidentally Suggests Arsenal Have Won the League – Then Apologises