While most Arsenal players were glued to their screens at London Colney, observing the final moments of the title race unfold, Declan Rice adopted a distinctly personal approach. The midfielder disclosed that the unbearable tension during the decisive Manchester City versus Bournemouth fixture compelled him to embark on an extensive walk around the training grounds, a unique method to maintain his composure.

“I took the security guard, Pete, and for the first 40 minutes, we walked around every single pitch. We talked about anything and everything,” Rice recounted. “Then we heard the roar, so we came back for the first goal. I thought, ‘Here we go again.’ On the way, I promised myself I’d tell everyone to stay put. We came back with five minutes left, it was 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 pitch. We were all watching the game on TV. He just couldn’t watch it. It was 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 drought. He lauded Bukayo Saka’s journey, a player who has been with the club since childhood: “He’s been here since the beginning, since he was six or seven. Imagine what he feels; this is true Arsenal now.” Rice elaborated, “It’s emotional. We’ve waited 22 years for this. He’s been here from the start. A true academy product, I believe, since he was six or seven. So for him, God knows what he’s feeling, because for me, he’s a genuine Arsenal legend.”

“As for myself, I’ve been here for three years and experienced three narrow final losses. To win today with this squad 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 succeed, and it unfolded in the most magnificent way.”

The celebrations extended beyond the training ground: Saka revealed that several players made an impromptu detour to the Emirates Stadium in the early hours of the morning to fully absorb their achievement. What was intended as a quiet reflection transformed into a memorable gathering with loyal Gunners supporters, who had stayed awake to partake in the festivities.

“It was madness, pure madness. Apologies for my voice, I’m still trying to get it back,” Saka explained. “But yes, the whole night was special, from the training ground to the party. And then at the Emirates too, we really enjoyed ourselves. Personally, I didn’t really want to sleep. I didn’t need sleep.”

Mikel Arteta’s squad is set to hoist the Premier League trophy on Sunday at Crystal Palace. Having already secured 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.