Declan Rice: Arsenal silenced Real Madrid and can do the same to PSG | OneFootball

Gunners star is confident of overturning a first-leg deficit with another “moment of magic”

The Gunners have not reached the Champions League final since 2006, while they have never progressed from a European tie after losing the first leg at home.

But Rice says Mikel Arteta’s side can take confidence from knocking out holders Real Madrid in the last round and beating them at the Bernabeu.

“Obviously, there was so much talk about [Real Madrid] coming back,” said Rice. “A lot of their players were saying straight from after the game that they were thinking about next week.

“Knowing that a lot of us were going to the Bernabeu for the first time, we knew it was going to be a difficult night even with a 3-0 lead, because special things had happened there in the Champions League.

“But like I said, we coped with the pressure really, really well, and we put in a really, really good performance.

You’re going to need a moment of magic to win a game ... hopefully we can deliver something special.

Declan Rice

“And I’m pretty sure tomorrow night you’re going to see the same type of performance from this team because we rise to the big occasions and we’re ready to do it again.”

Rice was one of Arsenal’s star performers against Real Madrid and was named man of the match in both legs. The midfielder scored two stunning free-kicks in the first leg and believes Wednesday night is set up for someone to be a hero.

“The manager calls them magic moments,” said Rice. “He always talks about having someone deliver a magic moment.

“In that game against Madrid, obviously I was able to produce two free-kicks, which were incredible. But tomorrow night, a semi-final is set up for someone else to maybe 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.”

Declan Rice addressing the media on Tuesday

AFP via Getty Images

PSG striker Ousmane Dembele, who is fit to play after recovering from a hamstring injury, scored the only goal of the game last week inside the first four minutes.

Both sides had chances after that, though, with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma forced into a number of fine saves.

Rice says that has given Arsenal confidence and urged his team-mates to seize the opportunity ahead of them.

“Once we worked out how we could beat them, obviously we missed a few chances, but in terms of how we were driving with the ball, giving our wingers one-vs-one opportunities, chances started to open up,” Rice said.

“I think tomorrow night we need to do the same. We need to have big balls and we need to go out there on the biggest stage and show that we’re ready to play at this level.

“You need to have full belief. We certainly have that as a group. The manager drills that into us every single day. I think if we’re the best versions of ourselves tomorrow night, we know we can be that. There’s no stopping us getting into that final.”