Arsenal's Declan Rice celebrates after the match
Arsenal faced heavy criticism in recent weeks after a run of three defeats in four games but remain top of the Premier League table and are into the Champions League semi-finals after Wednesday’s goalless draw with Sporting CP secured a 1-0 aggregate win.
Asked if the draw with Sporting was frustrating, Rice said: “Frustrating? No, we just got to a semi-final, positivity all the way. Who cares what people think? All that matters is what this group thinks, what the manager thinks and we’re in another semi-final. I’m delighted.
“We’ll keep going. Keep playing well. Keep getting over the line and bring it on. Bring on everything.
“Like being at any other top club, there’s noise with everything. This is Arsenal Football Club, there’s noise with every game. If you don’t play well, take it with a pinch of salt and keep moving.
“Bring on the last few weeks. It’s a roller coaster. Nobody’s going to hand you anything in this game. Let’s keep going and what will be will be. Let’s keep going strong.”
Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, suggested that the coverage and discussion of the club in recent days was more suitable for a team that was battling relegation than fighting for the Premier League and Champions League titles.
“I wish that we were doing the Arsenal documentary this season and you can film the last 48 hours and know everything that has been said,” said Arteta. “\[If we then\] watched the series in July, and asked ourselves: where does Arsenal place? I think all of us would say they are in the bottom three.
“So what are we talking about, guys? Please, enjoy where we are as a club. We are enjoying it a lot, and I feel huge gratitude for what the players are doing, and our supporters.”
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Arsenal face Manchester City in a potential title-deciding match this weekend but could be without winger Noni Madueke, who went down with a knee injury in the draw with Sporting.
Arsenal are also without first-choice winger Bukayo Saka, which means they may need to start 16-year-old Max Dowman in the crucial game at the Etihad.
Other options for Arteta are Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, who could all play on the right wing.