Declan Rice immediately turns focus to Man City with ultimatum to Arsenal team-mates

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Arsenal star Declan Rice has opened up on Sunday's huge fixture at Manchester City just moments after his team reached the Champions League semi-finals

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has sent an ultimatum to his team-mates ahead of Sunday's huge game at Manchester City. The 27-year-old has demanded his fellow players show "how much they want it" against Pep Guardiola's side this weekend.

The Gunners still have a chance of winning a rare Premier League and Champions League double - a feat only Manchester United in 2008 and Man City in 2023 have achieved this century, with the latter also claiming a treble. Mikel Arteta's team saw off Sporting 1-0 on aggregate in their European quarter-final after a nervy 0-0 draw on Wednesday night.

Arsenal have never won Europe's elite competition - coming closest in the 2006 final which they lost to Barcelona. And Arteta's men will be hoping to achieve a historic first in north London this year with Atletico Madrid standing in their way of a first Champions League final in 20 years.

But the Gunners' immediate focus will be on Sunday's titanic fixture at the Etihad Stadium against City. Victory will move Arteta's men nine points clear of the hosts who also have a game in hand over Arsenal.

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And Rice has been asked on TNT Sports about that game in Manchester and whether they need to win against Guardiola's team.

He said: "Of course, you have to win every game. We want to win every game in the Premier League.

"Our record this year has been amazing in all competitions. It's why we play the game.

"It's a game of football at the end of the day. [It's about] how much you want it, so I know I'll be ready, I know the boys will be ready, so let's go."

There have been major question marks over Arsenal's mentality in recent weeks as they chase a first major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup. Arteta's side lost the Carabao Cup final to City before being knocked out of the FA Cup at Southampton.

The Gunners' poor form then continued on Saturday when they lost at home to Bournemouth. But Rice has tried to put the noise around his club in perspective.

He added: "Like being at any other top club, there's noise with everything. This is Arsenal football club, there's noise with every game.

"If you don't play well, if you don't play good, take it with a pinch of salt and keep moving.

"Bring on the last few weeks. It's a rollercoaster. Nobody's going to hand you anything in this game. Let's keep going and what will be will be. Let's keep going strong."