While most Arsenal players were glued to screens at London Colney, keenly observing the final moments of the title race, Declan Rice adopted a distinct approach. The midfield maestro disclosed that the tension during the pivotal Manchester City versus Bournemouth match became so unbearable, he chose to embark on an extensive walk around the training pitches to maintain his composure.

“I took the security guard, Pete, and for the first 40 minutes, we just walked around every single pitch we could find. We talked about anything and everything,” Rice recounted. “Then we heard the roar, so we hurried 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 about five minutes left; it was essentially over, but I still couldn’t bring myself to watch.”

His teammate, Bukayo Saka, described the scene as “ridiculous,” explaining, “He must have done about a dozen laps of the training ground. We were all watching the game on TV, but he just couldn’t look. It was absolutely hilarious.”

Signed by Arsenal in 2023, Rice characterized the Premier League victory as an “incredibly emotional” milestone, bringing an end to the club’s 22-year wait for the coveted trophy. He lauded the journey of Bukayo Saka, an academy product since childhood: “He’s been here since the very beginning, since he was six or seven years old. Imagine what he must be feeling; this is the true essence of Arsenal now.” Rice elaborated, “It’s emotional. We’ve waited 22 years for this. He’s been here from the start, a genuine product of the academy, I believe since he was six or seven. So, for him, only God knows what he’s feeling, because to me, he’s a true Arsenal legend.”

“As for me, I’ve been here for three years and have experienced three agonizingly close defeats in finals. So, to finally win with this group today is exactly why I came here. 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 happened in the most beautiful way possible.”

The celebrations extended well beyond the training ground. Saka revealed that several players embarked on an impromptu detour to the Emirates Stadium in the early hours of the morning to fully savor their monumental achievement. What began as a moment of quiet reflection transformed into a memorable gathering with devoted Gunners supporters, who had stayed awake to partake in the festivities.

“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 center to the party. And then at the Emirates too, we really had an amazing time. Personally, I had no desire to sleep. I didn’t need any sleep at all.”

Mikel Arteta’s squad is set to lift the Premier League trophy at Crystal Palace on Sunday. Having already clinched the title before the final matchday, the Gunners are now setting their sights on an unprecedented historic double as they prepare for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, scheduled to take place in Budapest on May 30.