'Bring it on', says Rice as Arsenal chase Champions League history

TL;DR

Declan Rice urges Arsenal to embrace their Champions League history as they prepare for a semi-final against Atletico Madrid. The Gunners aim for their first title, having never won the competition despite reaching the final in 2006.

Key points

Declan Rice calls for Arsenal to embrace Champions League history
Arsenal seeks first Champions League title in semi-final against Atletico Madrid
The Gunners have never won the competition, with their only final in 2006

ArsenalAtletico MadridParis Saint-GermainBayern Munich

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice (Patricia DE MELO MOREIRA) (Patricia DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/AFP) Declan Rice has urged Arsenal to embrace the weight of history in their chase for a first Champions League crown ahead of Wednesday's semi-final trip to Atletico Madrid. The Gunners travel to the Spanish capital for the first leg looking to move a step closer to only their second Champions League final appearance. Mikel Arteta's side have been labelled English football's nearly men after three successive runners-up finishes in the Premier League. They have fallen short in Europe as well, losing 3-1 on aggregate to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals last season and bowing out against Bayern Munich in the 2024 quarter-finals. Arsenal have never won Europe's elite club competition, with their lone final ending in defeat against Barcelona in 2006. The Premier League has become the London club's holy grail after their painful streak of near-misses in recent years. But lifting the Champions League for the first time would be an equally fitting riposte to those doubting the mental strength of Arteta's men. Just seven games separate Arsenal from the club's greatest ever season. They sit three points clear of second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League title race, with four matches to play and five for Pep Guardiola's men. Three games remain in the Champions League if Arsenal reach the final against PSG or Bayern in Budapest on May 30. Rice wants his team-mates to prove their past experiences have made them battle-hardened for their pursuit of history. "We've played in tough games in the last three or four years at the highest level, so we know what to expect and what's to come," the midfielder said. "That's what it's been all season, and that's what we want it to be towards the end of the season. "We're Champions League semi-finalists, let's embrace it, enjoy it and bring it on."

Q&A

What is Declan Rice's role in Arsenal's Champions League campaign?

Declan Rice is a midfielder for Arsenal, and he is encouraging his teammates to embrace the challenge of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

When was Arsenal's last appearance in a Champions League final?

Arsenal's last appearance in a Champions League final was in 2006, where they lost to Barcelona.

How many matches does Arsenal need to win to secure the Champions League title?

Arsenal needs to win three more matches to secure the Champions League title if they reach the final.