Captain Declan Rice has said West Ham United are not in a relegation fight but need to start showing that they are a top team and not just saying it.
The Hammers lost 3-1 to league leaders Arsenal on Boxing Day despite taking a 1-0 lead into the half thanks to a Said Benrahma penalty.
Second-half goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah condemned David Moyes' side to their tenth defeat of the season and leaves them just a point above the relegation zone after 16 games played.
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Rice played the full 90 minutes against the Gunners and, when speaking after the final whistle, said that while they aren't in a relegation fight, the team need to improve as they are still a 'top team.'
"No, I don’t think it’s a relegation fight at all," Rice told Amazon Prime Sport.
"Every team has a blip, every team has period where it’s not plane sailing but it’s down to me, as captain, to keep everyone going, pushing, I’ll give 100 per cent on the pitch to make that happen, try get results.
"There’s no way we’re down and out and we still believe we’re are a top team. With the players we’ve got, we’re still a top team but we need to showing it and not saying it."
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