Declan Rice described Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain as “devastating” after the Premier League champions lost on penalties, while offering support to teammates Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães following their missed spot-kicks.
Arsenal fell short in Europe’s biggest club match after a 1-1 draw was followed by a penalty shootout defeat, denying Arsenal a first Champions League title despite an impressive campaign.
Rice said the dressing room was hurting after the loss but stressed the squad would stand behind Eze and Gabriel, whose missed penalties proved costly.
“Losing a Champions League final on penalties is devastating,” Rice told TNT Sports after the match.
“We’ve come so far as a group. It’s been an incredible season and this was our 63rd game. We’ve given everything, and sometimes football comes down to penalties. Some of the best teams in the world have lost finals that way.”
Rice revealed both players were struggling to come to terms with the outcome.
“Eze and Gabriel are broken right now. Missing a penalty in a Champions League final is one of the toughest things a player can experience,” he said.
“But we love them and we’re fully behind them. These moments happen in football. They won’t be the last players to miss penalties in a final.”
The England midfielder was quick to highlight the contribution both players made throughout Arsenal’s title-winning season.
“Without Eze and Gabriel, we don’t win the Premier League this year. That’s the reality. They’ve been massive for us all season.”
Despite the disappointment, Rice urged the team to take pride in a campaign that delivered domestic success and a run to the Champions League final.
“We win together and we lose together,” he said.
“I’m incredibly proud of this team. What we’ve achieved this season has been special. Of course, I’m devastated, but when you look at the journey we’ve been on since pre-season, there’s a lot to be proud of.”
The defeat ends Arsenal’s hopes of completing a historic Premier League and Champions League double, but Mikel Arteta’s side will head into next season having re-established themselves among Europe’s elite.
