Declan Rice says that Arsenal is desperate to win the Champions League after reaching the last four with a 2-1 win against Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu, a 5-1 aggregated victory.
In the impressive road on Wednesday, Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-final for the third time in their history, after 2005-06 and 2008-09.
Bukayo Saka made up for his 13th minute Penalty Miss with a second half more open in the Spanish capital, only for Vinicius Junior to withdraw a goal after the mistake by William Saliba two minutes later.
Gabriel Martinelli then took the victory and sealed progression with a stopping time finish during the break, and Rice is enthusiastic for Arsenal to go all the way in Europe.
“It is such a special evening for this club, a historic evening for this club. We had an objective in this competition: we want to win this competition,” said Rice, speaking with TNT Sports.
“We had so much conviction and confidence that we had enough to get here and win the game. We had it in mind and we did it in real life. What a night for the club.
“It is huge. I felt it before I appeared in the club that we had an upward route. In this competition we did it incredibly well. We completely believe it, and we have full confidence in the manager; he is incredible.
“Semi-final, it's huge for us and we want to take with us tonight.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly repeated Rice's comments after a memorable victory Arsenal had eliminated the Champions League holders for the competition, who did this earlier in 2007-08 against Milan.
“It was incredible. When you see it [Bernabeu] On TV it is very different from what it is live, “he told TNT Sports.
“The fans don't make it easy for us. As long as we were held together and supported each other through the highlights and lows, it would be good.”
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– Arsenal (@ARSENAL) April 16, 2025
However, it was not all routine for Rice on Wednesday, after he had given away a fine of the first half when he was assessed that he had withdrawn Kylian Mbappe from a free kick by Madrid.
After a VAR review, however, the punishment and the subsequent yellow card for rice were withdrawn.
“I knew it wasn't a punishment. I had my arm on him [Kylian Mbappe]But I knew it wasn't a pen. I'm a honest guy, “said Rice.
“He fell to the ground and I was completely convinced that it would be destroyed. In the end we did the job and it is a historic night for the club.”
Arsenal will be confronted with Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final of the Champions League, which she has already defeated 2-0 in the competition phase.
“Top team. We have already played them, but they are a different team than they were then,” said Rice.