Rice Motivates Arsenal Ahead Of City Clash After UCL

‎Declan Rice described reaching another Champions League semi-final as an “amazing achievement” for Arsenal, despite criticism following a 0-0 draw at home to Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday.

‎Arsenal advanced 1-0 on aggregate after Kai Havertz’s late winner in the first leg in Portugal. The result sends the Gunners into the last four of the competition once again.

‎Arsenal, who have never won the Champions League, were eliminated at this stage last season by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain. They will now face Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.

‎The winner will meet either PSG or Bayern Munich in the final in Budapest next month.

‎”To go back-to-back semi-finals is an amazing achievement for this group,” Rice told TNT Sport’s.

‎”We want to now go one step further than last year and get to the final.”

‎The goalless draw at the Emirates did little to build momentum for Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of a crucial Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday.

‎Arsenal have managed just one win in their last five matches across all competitions. That run includes a League Cup final defeat to Manchester City and an FA Cup exit to second-tier Southampton.

‎The recent dip in form has increased scrutiny on their title ambitions.

‎”Positivity all the way,” added Rice.

‎”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.”

‎City trails Arsenal by six points at the top of the table. But have a game in hand on the leaders and home advantage when they face off this weekend.

‎”Our record this year has been amazing in all competitions,” said Rice.

‎”How much (do) you want it? I know I’ll be ready, I know the boys will be ready, so let’s go!”