Midfield star Declan Rice has emphasized the team’s resolve to reverse things as Arsenal get ready for an important semi-final second leg showdown with Paris Saint Germain.
Though trailing 1-0 on aggregate, the England international is full of confidence going into the critical contest.
“Nothing changes, it’s a semi-final, 90 minutes minutes away from a final, I think that tells you everything you need to know,” he remarked.
“The manager has spoken to us, we know what we can achieve tomorrow night. It is a game of football, we can go out there and we can achieve something great for this club and that is what we want to do.”
Confidence and optimism in the dressing room
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The English midfielder praised the Gunners’ ability to perform when it counts most instead of ducking the challenge.
“We know we are 1-0 down but we have full belief, full positivity that we are going to go out there and win.”
The North London side’s European run this year has showed this relentless attitude, and the former West Ham United defensive midfielder’s captaincy has been instrumental in bringing the team together.
Flourishing in a new position
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Under Mikel Arteta, Rice has shone in a different number eight role this season, one that has pushed him into more forward, active, dynamic areas on the pitch.
“I have seen players like Frank Lampard back in the day, how they used to move around in the box, get away from their opponents and score but playing in this eight role under Mikel Arteta is different,” he revealed.
“I am not always in the box, it is a bit more of a box-to-box role, having to play in pockets, dropping deep depending on what the opposition do.
“I am thoroughly enjoying it, it is a completely different role to what I am used to and I think you are starting to see the best of me and what I can do. I am happy I can showcase that.”
Can another magic happen?
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Rice understands how vital personal genius on evenings like this is, and he is optimistic that either he or one of his teammates would generate something exceptional. Reflecting on his two spectacular free kicks against Real Madrid earlier in the season, he conceded that at this point often it makes all the difference.
“The manager calls the two free kicks against Real Madrid magic moments, he always talks about them,” he said.
“In that game against Madrid I was able to produce two free kicks which were incredible.“Another semi-final is set up for someone else to get that magic moment – hopefully it is me again but you are going to need a moment of magic to win a game.”
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