Declan Rice makes Arsenal vow as star reveals dressing room response to PSG loss

Declan Rice and Arsenal already have their sights set on next season after coming up short in their bid to follow up their Premier League triumph by becoming European champions

Declan Rice has been an outstanding driving force for Arsenal all season. So it was probably fitting that Rice was the player talking about “upward trajectory” even after the most painful, devastating defeat.

Rice was trying to keep the Champions League heartbreak in perspective after Arsenal lost a fifth European final in a row, this time on penalties to Paris Saint Germain. But Rice was anxious to point out this should still be a season to remember and cherish even if they could not make it a Double success after winning their first title in 22 years.

That has established Arsenal as a force to be reckoned with again in domestic terms and, after finally coming first after three consecutive second-placed finishes, they will try to do the same in the Champions League.

But there was also a wider point because now is a chance for Arsenal to really build, strengthen and evolve not just as a team but also as a club.

They have taken big strides in each season - and now have to take a giant leap. They ground out success this season, got over the line and maybe playing with a bit more style is the next step. But no-one should underestimate the energy which has gone into the season to finally deliver a title.

Rice said: “I think ever since I have come to this club we have been going on an upwards trajectory. This year we were in all competitions until February, March, it was really tough, mentally draining.

“Since October it has been three games a week so that is why I am so proud of these boys, of these players, of how far we have come, to win a Premier League to get over the line was incredible, so, so special, we fully deserved it.

“But we are going to use this moment to add fuel to the upcoming seasons. Speaking to the players, obviously the manager, there is no reason why we are stopping here.

“Next season we are going to go even stronger and we are going to be ready again so it is exciting times for this club.”

Arsenal’s minds quickly turned from disappointment to celebration with the parade to toast the Premier League title success through the streets of Islington.

But there was also fall-out from the final. Why did centre half Gabriel take the fifth penalty? Three of Arsenal’s regular penalty takers - Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz - were already off the pitch.

Cristhian Mosquera’s one misstep to concede a penalty as Ousmane Dembele’s spot kick cancelled out Havertz’s early opener. For all of PSG ’s pressure and possession, they genuinely had not caused too many problems. It was not PSG’s best night by any means.

But the really telling stat was in pass completion. Arsenal were well below PSG. At 1-1, Arsenal had chances to create more chances, thread the ball through and at least set up a one-v-one. But they blew it.

However, the notion that Arsenal could have been open was really a nonsense. This PSG side, with all their attacking might, took Inter Milan apart last year and would have done the same if Arsenal had dared go toe-to-toe with them.

But being more expansive, more attacking and fluid is surely a longer term target for Mikel Arteta as he looks to build on this season.

Arsenal have played good stuff this season at times. But you cannot escape the fact that a lot of neutrals and rival fans are happy to see them lose because they are not great to watch,

Rice added: “You play against a Paris Saint-Germain team who have the best attack in the world and you can’t play the game like others have done where you are following them all around the pitch because that’s what they want.

“We really nullified them to not many chances and we have really had some chances ourselves and in the end we really felt it was going to go our way. It wasn’t meant to be. It doesn’t define us.”