Rice and Arteta Buoyant as Arsenal Prepare for PSG Showdown

Arsenal's Declan Rice and Mikel Arteta are upbeat ahead of their Champions League semi-final match against PSG. Can the Gunners produce a 'magic moment' to overcome the deficit and reach the final?

Declan Rice believes Arsenal needs to produce something special to overcome Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League semi-final match at the Parc des Princes. After losing the first leg 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium, where Ousmane Dembélé scored for PSG, Arsenal faces a tough challenge to reach the final. Rice's comments come after his impressive performances helped Arsenal reach the semi-finals, but he'll need to replicate that magic against PSG.

The match is set for May 7, 2025, at 19:00 UTC, and Arsenal will need to overcome the odds to progress. Historically, Arsenal has struggled in high-pressure matches, notably losing to Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final in Paris. To succeed, they'll require a strong team effort and standout performances from key players like Rice.

💬 "We are here to make history."

Mikel Arteta sounds the rallying cry ahead of tomorrow night's crucial Champions League showdown with PSG 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 6, 2025

Declan Rice believes his team needs another “magic moment” to overcome Real Madrid in their upcoming match. He references Mikel Arteta's concept of “magic moments,” citing the manager's emphasis on players delivering extraordinary performances in critical situations. Rice notes that Arsenal has already experienced such moments, like his two stunning free kicks in the quarter-final first leg win at home, but acknowledges that another standout moment will be crucial for advancing to the final in Munich.

“In that game against Madrid, obviously, I was able to produce two free kicks, which were incredible. But tomorrow night, for the semi-final itself, it's maybe someone who can get that magic moment.

“Hopefully it's me again, but you're going to need a moment of magic to win a game.

“Tomorrow night, hopefully we can deliver something special.”

Arsenal's Declan Rice reflected on the first leg against PSG, where his team was initially stunned by Ousmane Dembele's early goal. However, Rice chooses to focus on the positive aspects of the match, highlighting Arsenal's strong response and near-misses that were saved by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. “I think the first 15 minutes, I think the early goal probably shocked us a little bit, and it took us probably 15 or 20 minutes to get a foothold in the game,” Rice said, acknowledging the impact of the early goal but emphasizing Arsenal's resilience and determination.

“But once we started keeping the ball, we started to create some chances. Obviously, there was a little blip, probably 10 minutes to go, they hit the crossbar and put one wide, but we had some massive chances as well.

“But we're really positive and full of belief that we can come here and do something special.”

Arsenal's chances against PSG will receive a boost with the return of right-back Riccardo Calafiori and midfielder Thomas Partey. Partey's calm demeanor on the pitch is a valuable asset, as highlighted by Declan Rice, who said: “(Partey) being total calmness. Playing with Thomas, I've realised that's one of the best things about him.” With these key players back in the lineup, Arsenal will look to build on their strengths and push for a strong performance against PSG.

Full belief. pic.twitter.com/errxFN36qi

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 6, 2025

“Not always he gets the recognition he deserves, but playing with him, for sure, he allows me to be a better player.

“Tomorrow night, we're going to need a big performance from him and me, but also the full 11, because it's going to be the biggest night in the club's history if we get to the final.”

Mikel Arteta expressed his team's excitement and determination ahead of the match against PSG. Having won only one trophy, the FA Cup, since taking charge in 2019, Arteta is eager to deliver another title. “We're one win away from being in the final, let's do the talking tomorrow at 9 pm,” he said, emphasizing the importance of seizing the moment. Arteta added, “It's about being in the right moment in the right place,” highlighting the need for his team to capitalize on the opportunity.