While most of his Arsenal colleagues at London Colney remained glued to their screens, witnessing the final moments of the exhilarating title race, Declan Rice chose a unique method to manage his anxiety. The midfield maestro disclosed that the tension during the pivotal Manchester City versus Bournemouth fixture became so unbearable that he embarked on an extensive walk around the training grounds, seeking to maintain his composure.

“I grabbed Pete, the security guard, and for the first 40 minutes, we just walked around every single pitch possible, just chatting about anything,” Rice recounted. “Then we heard the roar, so we came back for the first goal. I thought, ‘Here we go again.’ On the way back, I promised myself I’d tell everyone to stay put. We returned with five minutes left, and it was done, but I still couldn’t bring myself to watch.”

Teammate Bukayo Saka found the spectacle “ridiculous,” stating, “He must have done about twelve laps of the training pitch. We were all watching the game on TV. He just couldn’t watch it. It was hilarious to witness.”

Having joined Arsenal in 2023, Rice characterized the Premier League triumph as an “unbelievably emotional” milestone, marking the end of the club’s 22-year pursuit of the coveted title. He paid tribute to Bukayo Saka, a product of the club’s youth system since the tender age of six or seven. “He’s been here from the start, since he was six or seven. Imagine what he’s feeling; this is what Arsenal is all about now,” Rice expressed. “It’s emotional. We’ve waited 22 years for this. He’s been here from the beginning. He’s a true academy product, from, I think, six or seven years old. So for him, God knows what he’s feeling, because for me, he’s a true Arsenal legend.”

Rice further reflected on his personal journey: “For my part, I’ve been here for three years and experienced three agonizingly close final losses. So, to win it today with this group is precisely why I came. I knew we would achieve it. I just felt it. I had a strong intuition about this club, these players, and the direction they were heading. I knew we would eventually get there, and it unfolded in the most magnificent way.”

The celebrations extended far beyond the training ground, as Saka disclosed that several players made an impromptu detour to the Emirates Stadium in the early morning hours to fully absorb their incredible achievement. What began as a moment of quiet reflection transformed into an unforgettable encounter with dedicated Gunners supporters, who had stayed awake to partake in the revelry.

“It was pure madness, absolute craziness. Apologies for my voice, I’m still trying to get it back,” Saka explained. “But yes, the entire night was special, from the training ground to the evening’s festivities. And then at the Emirates too, we really had a fantastic time. Personally, I didn’t feel like sleeping at all. I didn’t need any sleep.”

Mikel Arteta’s squad is set to lift the Premier League trophy this coming Sunday at Crystal Palace. Having already secured the championship before the final matchday, the Gunners now turn their attention towards achieving a historic double as they gear up for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, scheduled to take place in Budapest on May 30.