DECLAN RICE says Arsenal need “big balls” and “magic moments” to reach the Champions League final.
And the England star assures he “knows what is required” to drive the Gunners to semi-final victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
Mikel Arteta’s men must overturn a 1-0 deficit in France as they bid to win Europe’s elite competition for the first time.
The odds are against them having failed to score in their last SIX semi-finals in all competitions dating back to May 2021.
Arsenal have also lost their last four Champions League knockout ties after a first-leg defeat at home.
But Rice said: “We need to have big balls and go out there on the biggest stage and show that we’re ready to play at this level.
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“It’s a semi-final, 90 minutes away from a final.
“We can go out there and achieve something great for this club and that’s what we want to do.
“We know we’re 1-0 down but nothing changes. We have full belief, full positivity that we’re going to go out there and win.
“We’re here to make a statement. There’s no stopping us getting into that final.”
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Midfielder Rice, 26, has played in major European semi-finals for both West Ham and England.
He lost a heart-breaking Europa League semi-final to Eintracht Frankfurt with the Hammers in 2022 before captaining them to win the Conference League a year later.
With the Three Lions he has been runner-up at the last TWO Euros.
Rice, who scored two wonder free-kicks against Real Madrid in the quarter-final, added: “I’ve played in semi-finals before and I know what is required.
“Against Madrid, I was able to produce two free-kicks. But it is set up for someone else to maybe get that magic moment.
“You’re going to need a moment of magic to win.”
PSG forward Ousmane Dembele — who scored the fourth-minute Emirates goal that separates the sides — has been passed fit after a hamstring scare.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
