Liverpool have just helped Declan Rice discover brutal Arsenal Premier League truth

Declan Rice believes the nature of Liverpool's recent come-from-behind win against Brighton & Hove Albion highlighted how difficult it will be for Arsenal to win the Premier League this season.

The Gunners head into Sunday's Premier League clash at Chelsea ten points behind Arne Slot's side, who continued their impressive start to the season with a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa on Saturday night.

Goals in either half from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah made it six wins in the last seven for Liverpool, while Arsenal have slumped to sixth in the table after dropping points in each of their last three Premier League outings.

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One of those occasions came at St James' Park earlier this month when Alexander Isak headed home Anthony Gordon's cross to inflict a shock 1-0 defeat on Mikel Arteta's side and hand both Liverpool and Manchester City the initiative in the title race.

But Gunners midfielder Rice has revealed it was a moment during Liverpool's 2-1 win against Brighton later in the afternoon that served as a stark reminder of the Premier League's unforgiving nature.

"We were watching it [Bournemouth 2-1 Manchester City] on the coach as there was a bit of traffic on the way to the airport [Newcastle]," recalled Rice in an interview with Sky Sports.

"We were watching the City game and saw that they were 1-0 down and then 2-0. But then, obviously, Liverpool they were 1-0 down and then you check your phone and they've scored two in two minutes. That's the level, you know?

"That's the level of the Premier League and anything can happen at any given stage. That's why you can't rely on others for favours, you know. You have to rely on yourself.

"I think these last three games have been a blip in the road and we've dropped points, which is not ideal. But, like I said, it's down to us, really. We can't control other people. We can only control what we do."

For that reason, the England international believes his side's visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon is a "must-win" if Arsenal are to try and keep pace with Manchester City and Liverpool in the weeks and months ahead.

"Yeah, for sure," said Rice. "With the quality of the Premier League and the quality of the two other teams [Liverpool and City], the likes of Villa and Chelsea as well, you can't afford to be ten points behind."