Declan Rice says Arsenal will use their Champions League final defeat to PSG as motivation to come back stronger next season after an otherwise memorable campaign.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has insisted the club will emerge stronger from their Champions League final disappointment after losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in Budapest.
The Gunners arrived in Hungary riding the high of ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League title, but their dream of completing a historic double was shattered when Gabriel’s missed penalty handed PSG a second consecutive Champions League crown.
Despite the heartbreak, Rice remained positive in his post-match assessment, reflecting on a season that saw Arsenal compete on multiple fronts and establish themselves among Europe’s elite once again.
The England international described the campaign as an incredible journey, highlighting both the Premier League triumph and the club’s run to the Champions League final as major achievements that should not be overshadowed by one painful result.
Rice also paid tribute to PSG, acknowledging the French champions’ quality while praising Arsenal’s tactical discipline. He felt the Gunners had successfully limited one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking sides and created enough chances to win the match themselves.
Declan Rice’s reaction after losing the Champions League final…
He knows Arsenal will go again 👀 pic.twitter.com/pSvneAN3qJ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 30, 2026
Since arriving from West Ham, Rice has become one of Arsenal’s most influential figures, and although he was unable to add a Champions League winner’s medal to the UEFA Conference League trophy he won in 2023, he remains convinced more success lies ahead.
The 27-year-old believes Arsenal’s progress under Mikel Arteta has been consistent and that the experience of losing such a major final will only strengthen the squad’s determination. He stressed that neither the players nor the coaching staff have any intention of letting this setback halt the club’s momentum.
Rice also reserved special praise for Arteta, describing the Spaniard as a constant source of leadership and support throughout the season. With the Premier League title already secured and another deep European run achieved, Rice now turns his attention to the World Cup with England before preparing for what he hopes will be another trophy-chasing season at Arsenal.
