Declan Rice has promised that Arsenal “are coming back for more” next season after they paraded the Premier League trophy in north London, following their Champions League final defeat on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners lost a nail-biting shootout in Budapest, with Gabriel Magalhães missing the decisive spot kick, but Rice believes the best is yet to come from a squad that includes 16-year-old Max Dowman.
“Speaking to the players, obviously the manager, there is no reason why we are stopping here,” Rice said. “Next season we are going to go even stronger and we are going to be ready again so it is exciting times for this club. Next year, we’re coming back for more.” The midfielder scored in the shootout and chanted “Set piece FC” on a microphone as Arsenal celebrated their first league title since 2004.
Rice is set to miss England’s first World Cup warm-up game against New Zealand on Saturday as he takes a few days off before joining Thomas Tuchel’s squad in Miami. The 27-year-old has played more minutes for Arsenal than any other outfield player this season. Myles Lewis-Skelly missed out on a place in England’s squad despite impressive midfield performances; the 19-year-old said the defeat added “fuel to the fire” for next season.
Mikel Arteta addressed the crowd before four open-top buses, also carrying the women’s team who won the Fifa Champions Cup, started a five-mile loop around north London. “You have created this. This is your moment to make sure that we all enjoy it together,” Arteta said. Gabriel, despite his penalty miss, was named in Uefa’s Champions League team of the season alongside Rice and David Raya.
