Declan Rice reveals what Arteta told Arsenal squad after Champions League final defeat

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Declan Rice has revealed the emotional words Mikel Arteta shared with his Arsenal squad following their devastating Champions League final defeat to PSG on penalties.

The Gunners came agonisingly close to European glory at the Puskas Arena, but fell short in the shootout after Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes missed their spot-kicks following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.

Arteta’s message of love and pride

Despite the heartbreak, Rice disclosed that Arteta’s immediate focus was on showing appreciation for his players’ efforts throughout the campaign.

“He’s gutted. Yeah, he’s gutted. We’re all gutted. It’s the Champions League final. The emotions and the stakes are so high. Yeah it’s cruel; it’s cruel. That’s football,” Rice told Football London.

“But look, he just spoke about how much he loves us as a group. You know, this season, what we’ve done in terms of how we’ve been every single game, 100 per cent, given absolutely everything, with everything that’s been thrown at us.”

Building towards future success

The England midfielder emphasized that this final appearance represents significant progress for the club, pointing to their upward trajectory in European competition under Arteta’s guidance.

“I think we’ve come really far as a group this year. I think we’ve come really far and this is only the start for this group again. Obviously, we got over the line in the Premier League, which was a dream come true. This would have been one step further,” Rice explained.

“Since I came to the club, it was a quarter-final exit, semi-final, now a final. So look, we keep going, we keep staying positive and that’s one thing about this group: it’s not going to define us.”

Rice was quick to defend his teammates who missed in the crucial penalty shootout, highlighting their importance to Arsenal’s Premier League triumph earlier this season.

“Yeah, devastated. Obviously, to miss a penalty in a Champions League final is not nice. But we love them. We’re with them. And look, that happens in football, you know,” he said.

“And without them two this season, we wouldn’t have won the Premier League. That’s for sure. Gabriel has run out of words for him. As a person, as a player. And Eze as well. The crucial goals he’s come up with for us this year.”

The defeat marks another near-miss for Arsenal in their pursuit of European glory, but Rice’s comments suggest the squad remains united and determined to build on this experience. Having secured their first Premier League title and reached a Champions League final, the foundation appears set for continued success under Arteta’s leadership.