Declan Rice has promised that Arsenal “are coming back for more” next season after putting aside their disappointment at losing on penalties in the Champions League final by parading the Premier League trophy in north London.
Paris Saint-Germain retained their European crown after a nail-biting shootout in Budapest, which ended with Gabriel Magalhães missing the decisive spot kick. Arsenal – who have played more games in the competition without winning it than any other club – reached the Champions League final for the first time since 2006 having made steady progress under Mikel Arteta in recent seasons.
Rice scored in the shootout and chanted “Set piece FC” on a microphone as Arsenal showed off the Premier League trophy they won for the first time since 2004. He believes the best is still to come from a squad that includes the exciting 16-year-old Max Dowman.
“Speaking to the players, obviously the manager, there is no reason why we are stopping here,” he said. “Next season we are going to go even stronger and we are going to be ready again so it is exciting times for this club. To see the joy we can give people is crazy. Next year, we’re coming back for more.”
Asked what Arteta had said to the players after the defeat by PSG, he added: “He told us he loves us all, to keep our heads up, to be proud of what we have achieved this season. It is hard to find the words straight after a final for a manager but he is someone we have all looked up to, someone who all of us 100% every single day look to for guidance and strength and in tough moments this year he has been there for all of us and that is why we were so happy to deliver the Premier League because he deserves it.”
Rice is set to miss England’s first warm-up game for the World Cup against New Zealand on Saturday as he has a few day off before joining up with Thomas Tuchel’s training squad in Miami. The 27-year-old has played more minutes for Arsenal than any other outfield player this season in all competitions.
Myles Lewis-Skelly missed out on a place in England’s squad despite some impressive performances in his preferred midfield position in recent weeks. The 19-year-old, who was not even born the last time Arsenal won the title, admitted their celebrations were tinged with frustration at not being able to become the fourth English club to win a domestic and European title in the same season.
“It’s disappointing because when you’re so close to a dream, a goal, you feel slightly short,” he said. “But as Mikel said, it’s added fuel to the fire, so we’ll use that. It means everything, just to share this moment with our people. It’s incredible because it’s a chance to pay them back for all the sacrifices they’ve helped us through. I feel like it’s the start of a new era and I feel like we’re ready to go and achieve our dreams.”
Arteta briefly addressed the crowd before four open-top buses also carrying the women’s team – who paraded the Fifa Champions Cup they won in February – started the five-mile loop around the streets of north London, with hundreds of thousands of supporters estimated to have turned out.
“On behalf of the team, this is just amazing to witness,” said Arteta, who had his arm around the captain, Martin Ødegaard, and was wearing sunglasses.
“You have created this. This is your moment to make sure that we all enjoy it together. Have a beautiful day. Let’s go Arsenal!”
Along with Rice and the goalkeeper David Raya, Gabriel was one of three Arsenal men named in Uefa’s Champions League team of the season as PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia picked up the player of the competition award. The Brazil defender put in an immense performance to help keep Luis Enrique’s side at bay but admitted missing the penalty had been “painful”. “I’m proud of this team and everything we achieved together this season,” Gabriel wrote on Instagram. “Thank you to our incredible fans for your support every step of the way. You deserve to celebrate this journey with us and enjoy the parade today! See you next season!”
