Declan Rice has responded sharply to critics who ridiculed Arsenal’s post-match celebrations after the club secured a place in the Champions League final, insisting the occasion fully warranted the reaction from players and supporters alike.
Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on 5 May 2026, advancing 2-1 on aggregate to reach only the second Champions League final in the club’s history. Bukayo Saka scored the decisive goal in the tie after the first leg in Madrid had ended 1-1. The victory sends Mikel Arteta’s side to Budapest for the final.
The full-time scenes at the Emirates prompted a wave of mockery across social media, with rival supporters suggesting Arsenal had celebrated with an intensity more befitting a trophy win than a semi-final progression. Rice, who was named man of the match on the night, addressed those criticisms directly after the final whistle.
“I don’t think you can underestimate what we’ve done in this competition up to this point,” Rice said. “We’ve every right to celebrate, it’s such a big moment. The Champions League is the most prestigious tournament and it’s a proud moment for the club and the boys.”
Arsenal’s only previous appearance in the Champions League final came in the 2005-06 season, when the club lost 2-1 to Barcelona in Paris. Their return to the showpiece occasion, two decades later, represents a landmark moment in the club’s modern era under Arteta, who has overseen a sustained rebuild since taking charge in December 2019.
Despite the significance of the result, Rice was equally measured in acknowledging the work that remains. The midfielder pointed to a demanding fixture schedule that requires the squad to maintain focus beyond the euphoria of the semi-final.
“It’s all to play for but we’ve got to stay composed and focused,” Rice added. “It’s a tough one because we’re into the Champions League final but Sunday is a massive one as well.”
Arsenal’s Champions League campaign has drawn considerable attention this season, not least because of the involvement of Nigeria international Ademola Lookman, who featured for Atletico Madrid across both legs. Reports indicate that Arsenal captain William Saliba, a former Atletico loanee, was among those celebrating the aggregate victory.
Rice himself has been a central figure in Arsenal’s European run. The England international joined Arsenal from West Ham United in the summer of 2023 in a deal reported to be worth around £105 million, making him one of the most expensive transfers in Premier League history at the time. His performances in the knockout stages of this season’s competition have underlined that investment.
With the Champions League final now confirmed, Arsenal face the dual challenge of managing their Premier League campaign alongside preparations for the Budapest showpiece. The club’s ability to balance both fronts in the weeks ahead will be closely monitored as they attempt to translate a historic semi-final result into continental silverware.
