logo
Declan Rice feels Arsenal are on the brink of a gold rush ahead of PSG clash but the final step - winning a trophy - is often the hardest, writes OLIVER HOLT

Declan Rice feels Arsenal are on the brink of a gold rush ahead of PSG clash but the final step - winning a trophy - is often the hardest, writes OLIVER HOLT

Daily Mail​06-05-2025

Out on the edge of the city, where the suburbs start to give way to lush countryside and the Paris Saint-German coach Luis Enrique rides the 9km from his house to the training ground in Poissy on his bicycle, everything was serene on Tuesday when Achraf Hakimi began to talk about what lies ahead for Arsenal.
Hakimi transported us there, to Wednesday evening, as best he could. 'The atmosphere will be insane, inside and outside the stadium,' the PSG defender said. 'These are the games that kids want to play in. The city will stop breathing for this game; I completely get that. The fans helped us overturn the game against Manchester City when we were down and they deserve this joy now.'
A few hours later, Mikel Arteta and Declan Rice walked into the Parc des Princes as it lay deserted and brooding on Tuesday evening, waiting for its moment. One after another, Arsenal coach and midfield general matched Hakimi for optimism. After a few minutes of listening, it felt like attending a seminar on the power of positive thinking.
Arsenal may be a goal down from the first leg of this Champions League semi-final, when they never quite recovered from a PSG masterclass in the opening 30 minutes, but you would not have known it to hear the pair speak.
Rice, who will be freed to play in his favoured No 8 role by the return of Thomas Partey after suspension, exuded wide-eyed, smiling enthusiasm for the task in front of him and his team even though he will up against Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves, commonly regarded as the best midfield in Europe.
He talked about it as a chance to edge closer to immortality, a chance to make history by reaching Arsenal's first Champions League final for 19 years, a chance to start a gold rush of trophies that will put Arsenal's nearly-man reputation to the sword.
'The next step for us is to win trophies,' Rice said, after he had been invited to recall the two stunning free kicks he scored against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. 'I sense that we're close, but to get over the line, you have to win that first one. I feel like they'll start coming in for sure. We have such a good group, but we need to keep believing and being positive.'
It was in another part of the city, at the Stade de France, where Arsenal lost their only appearance in the final to Barcelona in 2006 but Arteta, who played for PSG for 18 months, is determined to lay those ghosts, too.
'Yes, it will give us another opportunity in this city,' Arteta said, 'and it brings you to places that are so related sometimes. It's a beautiful story, so let's make it our own tomorrow.
'We come here with huge enthusiasm, huge energy. We are a win away from being in the Champions League final and we are in the most beautiful city in the world. Against a great opponent. It doesn't get much better than that. We are here to make history. We have a big opportunity.
'Winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place. Liverpool have won the title with fewer points than we have had in the last two seasons so you have to be in the right moment in the right place. Hopefully we are in the right moment in the right place in Paris tomorrow.'
Arteta also hinted that the pressure PSG will be under in front of their own fans. They have blown advantages better than the one they hold over Arsenal before, notably the four-goal lead they threw away over Barcelona in 2017 and the three goals in 17 decisive minutes they conceded to Real Madrid in 2022.
But there is pressure on Arteta, too. Their failed challenge for the Premier League title has curdled into rather a grim battle to hang on to second place, with some even suggesting the apocalyptic scenario that they could yet lose their place in the top five.
Some, even among Arsenal's support, have sought to portray Wednesday evening's second leg as a match that could doom Arteta's reign at the Emirates if his team does not manage to respond to its own blizzard of optimism.
PSG will be under pressure from their own fans in Paris, Arteta insisted ahead of the tie
Those voices are suggesting, even before the game has taken place, that Arteta has hit a ceiling at the club and that the prospect of three successive second-placed finishes in the Premier League shows that Arsenal's progress has stalled.
That analysis is flawed. It assumes, for a start, that Arsenal's natural place in the English football firmament is as a regular winner of league titles and that Arteta is somehow selling the club short.
The reality, of course, is that Arsenal have not won the league for 21 years and have only won it six times in the last 72 years. They are not habitual champions. It does not mean they do not have a right to dream, as every club does, but Arteta is moving them closer to that dream.
It is frustrating that Arsenal cannot get over the line in the league but that does not change the fact that Arteta is consistently over-achieving with the resources at his disposal. Not that those resources are inconsiderable but they do not match what is available to Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Arteta is getting Arsenal closer all the time. Whatever happens at the Parc des Princes, reaching the semi-finals of the world's leading club competition is another example of the club's progress and its restoration to Europe's elite.
It would be absurd for Arsenal to think about sacrificing that maturity and consistency by dispensing with Arteta when he has brought them so near to the big prizes. They can see the destination now. They just need to back the manager by strengthening the squad in the summer and holding their nerve.
There is still a feeling, despite support for Kai Havertz from within the club, that the club needs an upgrade in its front line, whether that is with a conventional centre forward or with another forward who plays more as a false 9.
This run to the last four of the Champions League, and possibly beyond, can only help with the recruitment process. If they can add PSG to Real Madrid in their list of victims, attracting the best players will be that much easier.
The last step, though, is often the hardest. Beyond all the talking, and the gleaming smiles, Arteta and Rice know that. 'To be in the final of the Champions League,' Arteta said, 'you have to do something exceptional. Tomorrow night is the night we have to elevate ourselves.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Leroy Sane sends message to Bayern Munich over Arsenal transfer
Leroy Sane sends message to Bayern Munich over Arsenal transfer

Metro

time31 minutes ago

  • Metro

Leroy Sane sends message to Bayern Munich over Arsenal transfer

Leroy Sane has indicated he is 'very interested' in a move to Arsenal amid his contract dispute with Bayern Munich, according to reports in Germany. The 29-year-old winger will become a free agent in a matter of weeks after failing to reach an agreement with Bayern over a contract extension. Sane joined the Bundesliga giants from Manchester City in 2020 in a deal worth up to £55m. Making at least 40 appearances every season since arriving at the club, Sane has been a hugely influential member of the Bayern squad, playing a major role in four league title wins. Bayern Munich bosses are keen to keep hold of Sane and have already offered him a new three-year contract on reduced terms. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. But Sane rejected the offer as he is unwilling to take a pay-cut and has since been linked with a number of Premier League clubs. German outlet BILD say Sane is yet to make a final decision on his future despite the fact he is set to become a free agent on July 1. It is also claimed Sane is 'very interested' in joining Arsenal, with a move to London 'appealing' to him and his wife Candice. Sane has attracted interest from Arsenal's Premier League rivals Tottenham and Newcastle United but moves to those clubs does not appear to be a genuine possibility at this stage. Other options include a move to Saudi Arabia or Serie A champions Napoli but those are less attractive to Sane, according to BILD. 'I would love Leroy Sane to sign for Spurs; he's a world class player who has won everything. 'Why would you not want him at your football club? He might've picked up a few injuries in his career, but you can't tell me he wouldn't be a great signing for Spurs – even if he demands £250,000 a week!' Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara speaking to Grosvenor Sport Despite the intense transfer speculation, Sane is not expected to make a decision before the Club World Cup starts this weekend. Bayern are even considering offering Sane a short-term contract to ensure he features in the tournament, even if he could leave shortly after Bayern Munich return from the United States. Sane is also aware of interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, who are both ready to make lucrative offers to secure his signature. But a move to Arsenal would give Sane a reunion with Mikel Arteta, who he worked with at Manchester City while the current Gunners boss was assistant to Pep Guardiola. Arteta is keen to bolster his attacking options ahead of the 2025-26 campaign but Didi Hamann believes it would be a mistake to sign Sane. 'If you look at Arsenal, I think you need very good players to improve the team,' Hamann told Best Betting Sites. 'And obviously Saka plays on the right. More Trending 'Leroy Sane mainly plays on the right and he's a hugely talented player. He's been at Bayern for five years now. He just hasn't done it on a consistent basis. 'Now, why would he do it now for the next three years when he's 29? He's a hugely talented player, but we shouldn't talk about a player who's 29 about his talent – we should talk about the impact they have and the medals they've won. 'At that age, you're looking for guarantees from your performance level, and Sane just hasn't given me any assurance that he can deliver consistently. 'I don't think Arsenal should be looking at him and certainly not moving for him.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsenal interested in sensational £70m swoop for Man Utd star to rival Chelsea MORE: Why Benjamin Sesko isn't playing for Slovenia tonight after Arsenal transfer links MORE: PSG star Gianluigi Donnarumma responds to Man Utd and Man City transfer links

Celtic sign Tierney from Arsenal on five-year deal
Celtic sign Tierney from Arsenal on five-year deal

Reuters

time34 minutes ago

  • Reuters

Celtic sign Tierney from Arsenal on five-year deal

June 10 (Reuters) - Celtic have signed Scotland left back Kieran Tierney from Arsenal on a five-year contract, the Scottish Premiership champions said on Tuesday. The 28-year-old, who made his senior debut at Celtic in 2015, will be back at the club after six years. He made 170 appearances for the Scottish club, scoring eight goals before joining Arsenal in 2019. "Everybody's known for a few months and just to be here with the Celtic strip on again just feels amazing," Tierney said. "... When you move away from home, you grow up, you learn different things. I was in Spain (with Real Sociedad on loan) for a year, learning a different language and playing in a different league, so I'm definitely a different person. "My ambition is just for Celtic to be as successful as possible, retain our place at the top and continue to win trophies and do well for Celtic."

Rodgers 'so pleased' to bring back 'elite player' Tierney
Rodgers 'so pleased' to bring back 'elite player' Tierney

BBC News

time34 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Rodgers 'so pleased' to bring back 'elite player' Tierney

Brendan Rodgers is "so pleased" to bring back "such an elite player" in Kieran Tierney after it was confirmed the defender has signed a five-year deal at Tierney thrived under Rodgers' management during both of their first spells at the Parkhead then, the pair have spent time in the Premier League, Tierney at Arsenal and Rodgers at Leicester, before being reunited in Glasgow."He is such a talented, high quality player and he will be a massive addition to our squad," Rodgers said."Kieran has always had Celtic in his blood and he is excited to be coming back to the place he loves."He is someone who has given so much to Celtic already and I know he is so motivated and hungry to help the club bring more and more success to our fans."We are so pleased to bring such an elite player back to the club and I look forward to working with him again."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store