Midfielder Calls for Courage and Belief Ahead of Make-or-Break Night in Paris
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice says the team will need “big balls” and “magic moments” to pull off a dramatic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Wednesday night.
The Gunners trail 1-0 after the first leg at the Emirates and now head to Paris hoping to book just their second appearance in a European Cup final. They must win by two clear goals at Parc des Princes to advance without extra time or penalties.
“We Need to Be Brave and Deliver Something Special”
Speaking on the eve of the clash, Rice acknowledged the challenge posed by an in-form PSG side but insisted Arsenal are more than capable of turning the tie around if they play at their best.
“We need to have big balls and go out there on the biggest stage and show we’re ready to play at this level,” he said. “The manager always talks about delivering magic moments — that’s what it takes to win big games.”
Rice was the hero in the quarter-final win over Real Madrid, scoring two stunning free-kicks, and said he’s hoping to be the difference again. “Hopefully it’s me again, but it could be anyone. Semi-finals are made for special performances.”
Arsenal Must Break New Ground
The North London club have never before progressed in Europe after losing the home leg of a tie. However, Rice believes the way Arsenal grew into the first leg should give the team confidence.
“We were a bit spooked by their early goal but we adapted well. We started creating space and getting our wide players into one-v-one situations,” he explained. “We’ll need that same aggression and bravery from the start.”
Arteta Wants a ‘Beautiful Story’ in Paris
Manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly urged the team to believe in themselves and rise to the occasion in Paris. According to Rice, the Spaniard continues to instil belief daily, insisting they can reach the final in Munich if they produce their peak performance.
“The manager always drills belief into us,” Rice added. “If we’re the best versions of ourselves, there’s no stopping us. You can’t go into a Champions League semi-final without full courage and conviction that you’re going to win.”
Match: PSG vs Arsenal – Wednesday, May 7 | Kick-off: 8:00 PM BST | Venue: Parc des Princes