Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Declan Rice says Arsenal’s “cruel” Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain will not define them.
The Gunners were looking for their first Champions League title but were left heartbroken in Budapest as they were beaten 4-3 on penalties by PSG after a tense 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, with Eberechy missing from the spot and Gabriel.
Mikel Arteta’s side therefore end the season with just the Premier League trophy but Rice insists there is more to come on the silverware front in the future.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is struggling to contain his frustration after losing to PSG on penalties in the Champions League final.
talking TNT SportsRice said: “The emotions and the stakes are high. It’s brutal. He (Arteta) talked about how much he loves us as a team. How we gave 100 per cent in every single game with everything thrown at us.
“This is just the beginning for us. We’ve crossed the line in the Premier League, it could have been a step further but it wasn’t meant to be. We keep building. Since I’ve been at the club it’s been a quarter-final exit, then a semi-final and now the final. We’ll keep going and stay positive. It won’t define us.”
Rice had to settle for the runner-up medal
Arteta: Arsenal need to use defeat as fuel to reach next level
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was left bitterly disappointed after losing the Champions League final to PSG on penalties.
Arteta reiterated that he was proud of his squad but stressed the importance of feeling the pain of losing in Budapest.
He said: “First you have to go through that pain, digest it and turn it into fuel to improve and reach a different level.
“I want to congratulate PSG because in my opinion they are the best team in the world. What they are able to do with the ball, with individual actions, is a credit to their players.
“I’m very proud of them. In situations where we know internally what we’ve been through.
“To manage this group of players, the way they carry this badge. We’ve reached the big one and we’ve missed the biggest one.
“We haven’t done it (win the league) for 22 years and it’s only the second time in our history (we’ve reached the final).
“We have to recognize the season we had. Nobody’s going to take the pain away from you.
Arteta showed his pain after the defeat
“I think you’ve got to go through the motions. If you’re in pain, go through the pain. If you’ve done something wrong, you’ve got to learn from it.”
Rice: We had a similar penalty against Leverkusen
One moment Arsenal fans can look back on with disappointment was the decision not to award a penalty in extra time when Noni Maduke went down in the area under a challenge from Nuno Mendes.
Both Rice and Arteta spoke about the incident at full time after being booked for their protest.
“I haven’t looked back on it yet, but I thought Nonny was ahead of him when he was on the pitch,” Rice said.
“Looking back at the one we got against Bayer Leverkusen, it was very similar.
“I’m not going into it now. I was devastated at the time. Against PSG, you have to take it mentally. I thought we grew into it as the game went on and created a few chances.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Gabriel missed Arsenal’s fifth penalty as PSG celebrated successive Champions League wins.
“PSG have lost loads over the years and now they’re taking their time. I think it’s going to happen to us. We’re having minor losses but we’re going to continue and press.”
Arteta said: “I watched it again and it could easily have been a penalty. Basically we’ve seen the penalties they’ve given in competitions this season. The referee made that decision but he made a different decision with Mosquera. It’s an important one.”
What next?
Already thinking about the 2026/27 Premier League season?
have a World Cup To fit in first – follow the live blog of every game The Sky Sports app – But The original date is locked For next term, when Sky Sports Will show again At least 215 live Premier League games.
Here’s your summer diary:
June 11: World Cup Begins – Daily fixture list
June 14: Scotland opener vs Haiti (2pm)
June 15: The summer transfer window opens
June 17: England vs Croatia opener (9pm)
June 19: Premier League Fixtures Released (10am)
July 19: World Cup final
August 22-23: Premier League opening weekend
August 27: Champions League League Stage Draw
September 1: Transfer deadline day (window closes at 11pm UK time)
September 8-10: Champions League Match Day 1
May 30, 2027: Premier League Final Day
