Soccer
Declan Rice is not interested in any opinions from outside of the Arsenal camp after they scraped into the Champions League semi-finals.
Wednesday’s uninspiring goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium was still enough to see Arsenal past Sporting CP with a 1-0 aggregate win, thanks to Kai Havertz’s late winner in the opening meeting in Portugal.
Leandro Trossard hit the woodwork late on, but chances were at a premium for both sides, as Arsenal navigated into back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history.
Having suffered in front of goal once again, Rice was asked if Arsenal were frustrated with their performance, though the midfielder soon pointed to his side’s achievement.
“Frustrating? No, we just got to the semi-final, positivity all the way,” Rice said on TNT Sports at the full-time whistle. “Who cares what people think?
“All that matters is what this group think, what the manager thinks, and we’re in another semi-final. I’m delighted.
“We’ll keep going. Keep playing well. Keep getting over the line and bring it on. Bring on everything.”
2 – Arsenal have reached the UEFA Champions League semi-final in back-to-back seasons, after having only made two previous European Cup/Champions League semi-finals before this (2005-06 and 2008-09). Standards. pic.twitter.com/rDja5MhiV2
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 15, 2026
Atletico Madrid await in the last four for the Premier League leaders, who also have a massive clash with Manchester City in the top-flight title race on Sunday.
That visit to the Etihad Stadium, along with their Champions League hopes, will likely be pinned on Arsenal’s defence, which once again impressed against Sporting.
Arsenal have kept 13 clean sheets in their 18 Champions League home matches since the start of 2023-24 – at least five more shutouts on home soil than any side in the competition in this time.
And that defensive ability made the second leg tough viewing. With a combined expected goals (xG) tally of 0.93 (0.64 Arsenal, 0.29 Sporting), this marked the lowest of any Champions League game this season, and lowest in any quarter-final match in the competition since Barcelona against Manchester United in April 2019 (0.68).
But it also provided a solid response amid a three-match losing run in domestic action, with the Gunners going down to Man City in the EFL Cup final, Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals and Bournemouth in the league.
“Like being at any other top club, there’s noise with everything,” Rice said of Arsenal’s recent struggles.
“This is Arsenal, there’s noise with every game. If you don’t play well, take it with a pinch of salt and keep moving.
“Bring on the last few weeks. It’s a rollercoaster. Nobody’s going to hand you anything in this game. Let’s keep going, and what will be, will be. Let’s keep going strong.”
Immediately looking ahead to City, who trail the leaders by six points but boast a game in hand, Rice insisted that Arsenal will travel to the blue side of Manchester looking for the win, rather than settling for a point.
“Of course, you have to win every game,” the Englishman continued. “We want to win every game in the Premier League.
“Our record this year has been amazing in all competitions. It’s why we play the game. It’s a game of football at the end of the day. [It’s about] how much you want it, so I know I’ll be ready, I know the boys will be ready, so let’s go.”
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