Declan Rice hopes “the new year brings trophies” for Arsenal after they ended 2024 with a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich Town.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal at the Emirates Stadium as Mikel Arteta's side moved into second place and within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal are the only team to have lost at home in the Premier League this season as they look to go the extra mile after finishing runners-up to Manchester City in each of the last two seasons.
And while Rice is pleased with the Gunners' progress in 2024, the midfielder hopes they can take that next step and get their hands on silverware.
“It was a good year. We did well, but it is not what we want,” he told Amazon Prime.
“Hopefully the new year will bring trophies so we can take the next step to be among the elite. We can keep winning games, but it doesn't mean anything if you don't win anything.”
On the game, Rice added: “I think it's been consistent for us: dominate games, but teams come here with a low block – it's hard to break a 5-4-1.
“I think we could have had one or two more in the second half [goals]. Fortunately, it was an important victory in the end.”
On to 2025, Goonerspic.twitter.com/8NicMPzBTs
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 27, 2024
Arsenal extended their unbeaten Premier League run on home soil to 12 games as they kept a fourth straight clean sheet in the Emirates for the first time since December 2021.
“Certainly, three points at home is nice,” Havertz said. “[Ipswich] didn't get a real chance, so we had the game well under control.
“Home games are so important for us and we feel the energy. Everyone is together. We are one football club. The players, the fans, everyone has to raise their level to win football matches.”
Mikel Arteta highlighted Arsenal's desire to eventually close the gap on Liverpool, who have a game in hand against the Gunners, as he praised his players' ability to cope without the injured Bukayo Saka.
“Frustration when you win? No. Things you can improve? Yes,” he said when analyzing the Ipswich win.
“It was what it was. Especially in the first half we were super dominant and we should have scored more chances. We didn't start the second half great and we owe that to them, they were hard to break and are well organised. ” .
“Given all the circumstances we've had this season – the number of times we've had to play with 10 men, all the injuries we've had – it's good to be in the position we are in now, but it's not where we want to be . wants to be the first.”
Speaking about the players who featured without Saka, who suffered a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace last weekend, he added: “Very good. It will be different. We had moments in the second half. It is a unit that is new and time will so that players can fully understand it.”
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