Declan Rice has insisted Arsenal will use their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain as motivation for next season, vowing the club is on an 'upward trajectory' despite the penalty shootout loss. The Gunners suffered a fifth European final defeat in a row, losing 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, but Rice stressed the season should still be remembered for ending a 22-year Premier League title drought.
Rice, who has been a driving force for Arsenal this season, said: 'I think ever since I have come to this club we have been going on an upwards trajectory. This year we were in all competitions until February, March, it was really tough, mentally draining. But we are going to use this moment to add fuel to the upcoming seasons.'
The England midfielder acknowledged the pain of the defeat but pointed to the progress made under Mikel Arteta. Arsenal won their first Premier League title in 22 years after three consecutive second-placed finishes, and Rice believes the club can now build on that success. 'Speaking to the players, obviously the manager, there is no reason why we are stopping here. Next season we are going to go even stronger and we are going to be ready again,' he added.
The final saw Arsenal take an early lead through Kai Havertz, but PSG equalised via a penalty from Ousmane Dembele after a mistake by Cristhian Mosquera. The match went to penalties, where misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes proved costly. Rice defended Arsenal's approach, saying: 'You play against a Paris Saint-Germain team who have the best attack in the world and you can’t play the game like others have done... We really nullified them to not many chances.'
Despite the disappointment, Rice urged perspective: 'This doesn’t define us. It was really tough, but I am so proud of these boys, of how far we have come, to win a Premier League to get over the line was incredible.' Arsenal celebrated their league title with a parade through Islington, and Rice hinted at a more expansive style next season as Arteta looks to evolve the team.
