Arsenal Reach UCL Last Four Despite Emirates Stalemate, Rice Hits Back At Critics

Rice hails 'amazing achievement' as Arsenal edge into Champions League semis

Declan Rice called Arsenal's Champions League semi-final berth an “amazing achievement” after a 0-0 draw with Sporting Lisbon sealed a 1-0 aggregate win. The Gunners now face Atletico Madrid before a potential Premier League title clash with Manchester City.

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Declan Rice called reaching another Champions League semi-final “an amazing achievement” for Arsenal, even if a 0-0 home draw with Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday didn't fully answer their critics.

Arsenal moved on 1-0 on aggregate after Kai Havertz struck a late winner in the Portuguese capital last week.

  

Still searching for a first Champions League title, Arsenal were beaten in the semi-finals last season by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.

They now meet Atletico Madrid in the last four for a spot in next month’s final in Budapest, where PSG or Bayern Munich will await.

“To go back-to-back semi-finals is an 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.”

But a dull stalemate at the Emirates hardly offered ideal preparation for Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of Sunday’s potential Premier League title showdown away to Manchester City.

Arsenal have managed just one win in their last five games across all competitions, a stretch that features a League Cup final defeat to City and an FA Cup exit to second-tier Southampton.

Arsenal reach last four 😤#UCL pic.twitter.com/TONyO32E0R

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 15, 2026

“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.”

  

City sit six points behind Arsenal at the top but hold a game in hand and will have home advantage when the sides meet 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!”