Declan Rice ‘doesn’t care’ about Arsenal critics after reaching Champions League semis
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrating after the 0-0 Champions League quarter-final, second-leg draw against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates Stadium on April 15.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Declan Rice said reaching another Champions League semi-final was “an amazing achievement” for Arsenal, despite failing to silence their critics in a 0-0 draw at home to Sporting Lisbon on April 15.
The Gunners progressed 1-0 on aggregate thanks to Kai Havertz’s late winner in the Portuguese capital last week.
Arsenal, who have never won the Champions League, were knocked out in the last four by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain last season.
They will face Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals for the chance to take on PSG or Bayern Munich in Budapest in May.
The well-organised visitors posed a threat at times on April 15, especially in the first half, and almost went ahead on the night just before half-time when Geny Catamo’s volley clipped the post.
Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard also struck the woodwork in the tense latter stages of a dour game, in which Sporting ran out of ideas and could not prevent the hosts keeping an eighth clean sheet in 12 Champions League games this season.
“To go back-to-back semi-finals is an amazing achievement for this group,” Rice told TNT Sports. “We want to now go one step further than last year and get to the final.”
Looking ahead, manager Mikel Arteta said: “The things that (Atletico manager Diego) Simone have done are impressive. I think the tie is open to both teams; I hope it goes our way.”
Yet, a stalemate short on excitement at the Emirates Stadium did little to set up Arteta’s men for a potential English Premier League title decider away to Manchester City on April 19.
Arsenal have won just one of their last five games in all competitions, a run which includes losing the League Cup final to City and being dumped out of the FA Cup by second-tier Southampton.
“Positivity all the way,” added Rice. “Who cares what people think. All that matters is what this group thinks, what the manager thinks and we’re in another semi-final. I’m delighted.”
Arteta added: “This is a massive boost. We fully deserve it and we are going to enjoy it.”
City trail Arsenal by six points at the top of the table but have a game in hand on the leaders and home advantage when they face off this weekend.
“Our record this year has been amazing in all competitions,” said Rice. “How much (do) you want it? I know I’ll be ready, I know the boys will be ready, so let’s go!”
Meanwhile with Sporting’s European adventure over, coach Rui Borges said: “I think we deserved more, potentially extra time. In both games, Sporting had the better chances. The character and the personality from the team, to fight against one of the best teams in Europe, was amazing.” AFP, REUTERS
