irishexaminer.com

'We need big balls and magic moments' - Declan Rice outlines what Arsenal need to turn PSG tie around

Arsenal's Declan Rice during a press conference at the Parc des Princes.

SOME 25 years have passed since Mikel Arteta moved from Barcelona to Paris to make his senior professional debut for Paris Saint-Germain.

On Wednesday night, he returns as Arsenal manager bidding to outwit a former senior Catalan colleague in PSG coach Luis Enrique. He feels, like his players, as if his time has arrived.

On Tuesday night, just 24 hours before kick-off as we sat in the Parc des Princes stadium media centre, I asked him how he could help his players based on his experiences of playing in this cauldron of noise.

He smiled calmy and told me: “I've been involved here and it's a massive club with a huge history - one city, one team, basically. I was very lucky to have 18 months here where I really enjoyed it and I have fascinating memories about it and it's great to be back here. I will tell the players they will experience a great atmosphere to play in and to relish it.”

Arteta will have an even better return if his can cajole his players into overturning last week’s one goal deficit from the first leg in London, where Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal of the night after three minutes.

The Arsenal manager added: “I think that result doesn't reflect what happened on the pitch at all. What happened in the first 15 minutes and what happened afterwards were very different but in the end the result is what controls the feelings and that's it.

"This time we'll do better, win and then everything will be safe. We are a win away from being the Champions League final and in the most beautiful city in the world.

"Against a great opponent, it doesn't get much better than that. We are here to make history. We have a big opportunity. We bring a result that gives us so much clarity about what we have to do.

"A lot of learning from the first leg as well and how small the margins are between the two teams. The result, in my opinion, should have been very different to that one. Now we have the opportunity to prove that and the right to be in the final.”

Arsenal's Declan Rice during a training session at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, London. Pic: John Walton/PA Wire.

Central to Arsenal’s hopes for success are the midfield duo of Declan Rice and Ghanaian international Thomas Partey, who was suspended and badly missed last week.

Rice, a winning European semi-finalist with England and West Ham before, was more succinct than his boss when asked what his side needed to win. “We need big balls and magic moments.”

The midfielder was, in part referring to his free-kick double in Arsenal’s first leg quarter final win over Real Madrid and how they then dealt with the hype around a Spanish comeback from the serial Champions League winners.

For Rice, Arsenal have nothing to worry about and Partey’s place in the side is key. He added: “Playing with Thomas is something else. People said before I joined Arsenal how good he was but when you get to train and play with him you see he is on another level. He is so calm on the ball and for the team – he does not get recognition he deserves and he makes me a better player.”

Rice is the player PSG fear, according to the local media here, and the England midfielder says the credit for his rise to the top of the game should, in part, go to Arteta, who thought €105million was a good value deal when he signed him from West Ham. ‘We got him half price’ sing the Arsenal supporters much to Rice’s amusement.

“I hear them, but that has nothing to do with me. I just signed to play football and try to help Arsenal win major trophies. The price tag is irrelevant. But I have gone up a level as Mikel has added layers to my game I did not know were there before.

“I know what it takes to win European semi-finals and what we have to do to beat this Paris side too. We know we are one win away from a big final but for me we have to play the way we know best. We won’t change for anyone so will do what the manager tells us to do - we won’t sit back.”

Odegaard urges Arsenal to 'stick together' ahead of Paris mission

One thing Rice is not happy about in the build-up to this match has been the criticism aimed at his team-mate and captain Martin Odegaard.

The Norway international has struggled for form amid illness and injury issues and some critics have even called for him to be replaced by youngster Ethan Nwaneri for the second leg on Wednesday night.

Rice, tipped as a future skipper for club and country, countered: “Martin is our leader and captain and I would not have it any other way. He trains so well every day and has full respect of the dressing room.

"People do not see that side of his character but he is very strong. He is a special player and he will deliver on the biggest stage against PSG.”

LIKELY LINE-UPS

PSG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Nevez, Vitinha, F. Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.

ARSENAL: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli.