Declan Rice says Arsenal are focused only on winning after their nervy 1-0 victory over Newcastle kept them top of the Premier League.

Declan Rice made Arsenal’s mentality clear after their tense 1-0 victory over Newcastle United, insisting that only results matter as the Premier League title race enters its decisive final stretch.

Arsenal returned to the top of the table with the narrow win, but it was far from a comfortable performance. After recent setbacks, including a defeat to Manchester City, the pressure on Arsenal was enormous.

Rice admitted that the squad had set themselves a clear target following last week’s loss, and it is to win all five remaining league games if they want to be champions. Saturday’s hard-earned success, he said, was simply the first step in that mission.

Arsenal got the breakthrough early through Eberechi Eze, whose superb ninth-minute strike ultimately proved enough to secure all three points at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite taking the lead, Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to fully control the contest and were forced to dig deep through a nervy final hour, with fatigue clearly visible by the final whistle.

Still, the victory moved Arsenal three points clear at the summit, even if Manchester City retain a game in hand. With goal difference almost identical, every match now feels like a mini-final in what has become a straight sprint to the finish.

Rice described the moment as exciting but demanding, with Arsenal balancing domestic pressure and a looming Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid. Captain Martin Ødegaard echoed that determination, insisting there can be no slowing down now. Arsenal know the title race will likely go to the final day, and they are prepared to fight through every remaining challenge.