News Focus
- Arsenal lose Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in Budapest
- Declan Rice promises the painful defeat will not define the club’s future
- Gunners finish season with Premier League title after 1-1 draw in extra time
- Manager Mikel Arteta urges squad to turn heartbreak into motivation
Declan Rice has insisted that Arsenal will not allow their painful Champions League final defeat to destroy their long-term ambitions. The Gunners suffered heartbreak in Hungary after losing to Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shoot-out.
The match finished 1-1 after extra time. PSG won 4-3 on penalties after Eberechi Eze and Gabriel both failed to convert their spot-kicks for the North London side. This loss ended the club’s dream of winning their first European Cup.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Rice described the result as “cruel” but remained positive about the team’s direction. He revealed that manager Mikel Arteta told the squad how much he loves them and praised their commitment throughout a difficult campaign.
“This is only the start for us,” Rice stated. He highlighted the team’s progress in Europe, noting they had reached the quarter-finals two seasons ago, then the semi-finals last year, and now the final. He believes this shows clear improvement.
The England midfielder promised the group will stay strong. He pointed out that they had already secured the Premier League trophy this season. He insisted that one painful night in Budapest would not decide their destiny.
Arteta shared similar feelings. He said he feels extremely proud of his players but demanded they accept the hurt of losing. The Spanish coach called PSG “the best team in the world” and congratulated them on their victory.
Arteta wants his players to use this disappointment as fuel. He explained that they must digest the pain and turn it into energy to reach a higher level next season.
The match included a controversial moment. Arsenal felt they deserved a penalty during extra time when Noni Madueke fell inside the box following a challenge from Nuno Mendes. Both Rice and Arteta received yellow cards for protesting to the officials.
Rice said he has not watched the replay yet. However, he thought Madueke was ahead of the defender when the contact happened. Arteta claimed he studied the footage and believes it was a clear penalty.
Despite the European disappointment, Arsenal can reflect on a successful domestic season. They lifted the Premier League trophy. The club will now focus on returning to the final next year and finally claiming the famous European trophy.