Declan Rice issued a blunt response when quizzed on the noise surrounding Arsenal's season after they advanced into the last four of the Champions League
Declan Rice helped Arsenal reach another Champions League semi-final
Declan Rice helped Arsenal reach another Champions League semi-final
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Declan Rice said "who cares what people think" after Arsenal battled to a goalless draw, which was good enough to make the last four of the Champions League.
The Gunners made their first-leg advantage over Sporting Lisbon count on a nervy night in north London. Arsenal had lost three of their last four coming into Wednesday's clash, which has halved their trophy hopes. Their recent collapse has led to accusations of the team melting under the pressure once again.
Rice though maintained that internally they aren't listening to the outside noise with the only perspectives that matter coming from inside the squad and manager Mikel Arteta.
He told TNT Sports: "Delighted, so so happy. It was a really tough test over two games but to go back to back semi-finals is an amazing achievement for this group and we want to go one step further and make the final. Played Atletico once this year, was a really good game, we know what to expect, so bring on these last couple of weeks."
Asked if he found it a frustrating evening, he snapped back: "No frustration, positivity all the way, who cares what people think? All that matters is what this group think, what the manager thinks."
Kai Havertz's stoppage time strike in Portugal last week ultimately decided the last eight tie. Despite their free-scoring nature earlier this season Arsenal have found it harder to find the back of the net, but Rice hit back and claimed that teams just come to defend against them.
"Of course you want to score goals," he said. "But most teams that come here we play against 5-4-1 every time, so there's a bit of perspective with that. Every team we play changes from a four to a five so the spaces aren't there, and that's the actual truth."
Only days ago the Arsenal players were dealing with a damaging loss
Only days ago the Arsenal players were dealing with a damaging loss
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Arsenal defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday has opened the door for Manchester City in the title race. The team are dealing with the pressure of trying to end a six-year trophy drought as Arteta's outfit have continued to come up short despite their notable progress in recent seasons.
Rice has been at the club since 2023 and was part of the team that slipped up late on in his debut season, which allowed City to take advantage and narrowly claim the title. Attention is firmly fixed on their showdown at the Etihad this Sunday.
He said: "You have to win every game in the Premier League, our record this year has been amazing in all competitions. I know I'll be ready, I know the boys will be ready."