Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice delivered a blistering and expletive-laden verdict on his team's performance following a costly goalless draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Missed Opportunity at the City Ground
The match represented a significant missed chance for Mikel Arteta's side. Earlier in the day, Manchester City's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford had opened the door for Arsenal to move a commanding nine points clear at the Premier League summit.
However, facing a disciplined and well-organised Forest team, the Gunners failed to break the deadlock. The solitary point leaves them seven points ahead of both Manchester City and Aston Villa, who were set to host Everton on Sunday.
Rice's Explosive Full-Time Reaction
The frustration was palpable at the final whistle, with Declan Rice captured clearly by television cameras as he approached the travelling Arsenal supporters. The England international was heard stating: 'F***ing shit, every f***ing time.'
His raw, unfiltered comments have since circulated widely on social media, underlining the intense disappointment within the Arsenal camp after failing to capitalise on their rivals' slip-up.
Arteta's Assessment of the Performance
In contrast to his midfielder's fiery outburst, manager Mikel Arteta offered a more measured, though equally frustrated, post-match analysis. The Spanish boss insisted his team had created the necessary opportunities to secure all three points.
'We obviously wanted to win the game and we knew the game would be tough and very close,' Arteta said. 'We created four big chances. It's happening all around the league to every single team. We have to improve and do better and especially when you create four big chances like the ones we created you have to put them away.'
The result ensures the Premier League title race remains intensely competitive, with Arsenal's lead now looking more vulnerable than it might have been. The pressure will be on Arteta's squad to respond decisively in their next fixture.
