“I think 100% there's not been a better team \[than Arsenal\] in the competition so far, from what I've seen, but we are out tonight,” Arteta said.
“This competition is about the boxes, and in the boxes that are normally the strikers' most of the time, and a goalkeeper, and \[Donnarumma\] was the best player in both games.”
Rice said an early goal for Arsenal would have swung the tie.
“If you score one of them chances, probably in the first 15 or 20 minutes, the game completely changes on its head,” the England midfielder said.
“Then, two mistakes from us, two goals for them. And obviously, with the chances we've missed, it just felt like it wasn't meant to be.”
Arsenal have now failed to progress from each of their last four major cup semifinals (2020-21 Europa League, 2021-22 League Cup, 2024-25 League Cup, 2024-25 Champions League).
They also fell agonisingly short in two Premier League title battles with Manchester City in the last two seasons, but Rice said those setbacks would make them stronger.