Declan Rice, the Arsenal midfielder, spoke with impressive frankness following the painful defeat in the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, in a dramatic conclusion decided by penalties in Budapest. After an epic season that culminated in the club’s first Premier League title in 22 years, the European setback felt like a cold shower for players, fans, and the entire structure of the London club. However, the England international assured that this defeat will not be the end, but rather the starting point for an Arsenal that is even stronger and more determined.
Rice, who was on the pitch for the full 120 minutes of the match, appeared calm at the press conference, acknowledging the magnitude of the journey the team has experienced since July in Singapore to the final on Hungarian soil. “It has been a rollercoaster since the start of the season. This was our 63rd match of the season, and it has been an incredible journey. Winning the Premier League after 22 years was a dream, and reaching this final was the realization of another dream,” confessed the midfielder. However, he admitted that losing on penalties “by such narrow margins” is painful, but emphasized that “this does not define this group.”
Rice’s analysis of the final was clear and lucid: “Congratulations to PSG, who have been the best team in Europe in recent years. They have the best attack in the world and you cannot play the same way as other teams, following them all over the pitch, because that’s what they want. We managed to nullify their opportunities and we also had our chances.” The Englishman, who won the Conference League with West Ham in 2023, knows well what it is to triumph in Europe, and promised that Arsenal will come back even stronger.
“Since I arrived at this club, we have had an upward trajectory. This season we have been competing on all fronts until March, which is very demanding mentally. Since October, we have played three times a week, and I am very proud of these guys for the journey we have taken,” Rice highlighted, before revealing the mindset that will guide Arsenal moving forward: “We will use this defeat to propel us in the coming seasons. We talked with the coach and among ourselves, and there’s no reason for us to stop here. Next year, we will be even stronger and we will be ready. It’s an exciting time for this club.”
The midfielder did not hold back in praising Mikel Arteta, highlighting the impact of the Spanish coach on the team’s tactical shift, which in Budapest opted to sacrifice ball possession in favor of defensive solidity, dominating less than 25% of the game. “After the match, Arteta told us that he loves us all, to keep our heads up and to be proud of what we have achieved this season. He is someone who is with us 100% every day, whom we turn to for guidance and strength in difficult moments, and that’s why we were so happy to give him the Premier League, because he deserves it,” said the 25-year-old player.
Before returning to Arsenal for the next season, Declan Rice faces the challenge of the World Cup with the England national team, which is looking to end a 60-year drought without a major trophy. The midfielder will be a key player for Thomas Tuchel in the group’s debut against Croatia, scheduled for June 17, and promises to bring the same grit and determination demonstrated throughout this season. Arsenal may have missed out on the European title, but the revolution led by Rice and Arteta is just beginning, and fans are already dreaming of a future filled with glory.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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