Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has outlined the crucial element his team must bring to the pitch if they hope to defeat Paris Saint-Germain in the upcoming UEFA Champions League final. The English international emphasized that the Gunners must deliver their absolute best performance to stand a chance against the defending champions.
Speaking exclusively to UEFA’s official website, Rice acknowledged the quality of their opponents, recalling last season’s tight encounter between the two sides. “PSG are a really good side,” he said. “We played them over two legs last year. It could have gone either way, so speaking about it now, may the best team win.”
The former West Ham captain stressed the importance of intensity and hunger from the very first minute. “You need to be on your A game to beat PSG. You need that fuel in your belly from the first whistle, that you are going to win this final,” he added.
Arsenal and PSG are set to clash at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Saturday, with both teams having secured their spots by overcoming Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively in the semi-finals. Rice described the final as “the biggest competition in football” and insisted that it doesn’t get any bigger than this.
With the Premier League champions looking to add European glory to their domestic success, Rice’s call for unwavering focus and determination could prove pivotal in their quest for the trophy.