The six Declan Rice words that have left Arsenal boss Arteta with a big decision to make

There was a sombre case of 'what could've been' as the Arsenal players went around the Emirates Stadium pitch for the final time this season following their victory over Newcastle United. By Mikel Arteta's own admission, it wasn't how he envisioned Arsenal's season ending, with the Spanish coach having been manifesting a league title win instead.

The ribbons draped around the Premier League trophy will be red, but as far as Arsenal are concerned, the wrong shade, with Liverpool set to lift the title next weekend. It was an outcome that many - and one suspects even the ever-defiant Arteta - had known would play out way before Liverpool were officially crowned champions last month.

Almost a month later, the pain hasn't subsided within the Arsenal ranks. At least among some players: chief amongst them, Declan Rice. The Arsenal midfielder, unprompted, demanded more from his team-mates for not putting up a stronger title fight this season .

But it was six words in particular that stood out. "We've been poor by our standards."

It's a recognition that there aren't any trophies handed out for second place, and if Arsenal want to end their 22-year wait for a league title, they're going to have to up the ante next season. It isn't the first time the Englishman has shouldered responsibility.

Following Arsenal's crushing semi-final exit to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, he told TNT Sports: "In life, in general, you have to lose a few in order to win. You have to overcome some of these setbacks to mentally grow, as a player, a person, a group. And I think we're going through that stage at the moment after a few losses in back-to-back years."

It's left Arteta with a decision to make. Does he give Rice the armband?

Not only does Rice deliver on the pitch, he backs it up when put in front of a microphone too. Incidentally, it comes at a time when Martin Odegaard's Arsenal career appears to have plateaued a tad.

Even still, there are natural leadership qualities that Rice possesses, which the Norwegian appears to be deficient in. In a way, Rice is a throwback to the traditional captains of old, with Arsenal more than most clubs in the country knowing what one of them looks like.

Arteta has shown during his time as Arsenal boss he's not scared to make a gutsy call. He dropped Aaron Ramsdale and brought in David Raya to great effect when most believed it was a move that defied logic. What if his next move is staring him right in the face?