Arsenal progressed to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday after holding Sporting CP to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium, with the result enough to protect their 1-0 aggregate lead secured in the first leg.
The performance drew widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike, with many expecting Mikel Arteta‘s side to be more dominant at home. Arsenal created limited chances throughout the match, registering just one attempt on the Sporting CP goalkeeper across the 90 minutes.
However, midfielder Declan Rice was in no mood to entertain the negativity in the post-match press conference. When a reporter asked whether the result had been frustrating, the England international was direct in his dismissal. “Frustrating? Nah, we just got to a semi-final,” Rice said. “Positivity all the way. Who cares what people think? All that matters is what this group thinks, what this manager thinks. We’re in another semi-final, I’m delighted.”
Rice also offered a broader perspective on the scrutiny that accompanies playing for a club of Arsenal’s stature, particularly as the possibility of challenging for multiple trophies this season has become less certain. “This is Arsenal Football Club; there’s noise with every game,” he noted. “If you don’t play well, 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.”
Looking ahead, the midfielder struck a determined tone about what remains of Arsenal’s campaign. “We’ll keep going, keep playing well, keep getting it over the line,” Rice added. “Bring it on. Bring on everything.”
The semi-final appearance marks the second successive season that Arteta’s side has reached the last four of Europe’s premier club competition, underlining the club’s growing consistency at the highest level. Arsenal will now await the draw to determine their semi-final opponents as they continue to pursue a deep run in the Champions League.
Arsenal’s progression comes amid a challenging period for the club, with recent results in domestic competition having dimmed prospects of a quadruple challenge. The coming weeks will be a significant test of the squad’s resilience, with Rice’s comments suggesting the dressing room remains united in its resolve despite mounting external pressure.
