Declan Rice Denies Controversial Comments Ahead of PSG Clash

Declan Rice has publicly denied reports that he told his Arsenal teammates, 'If we don’t have the ball, we die,' before their Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, clarifying that his comments were about staying compact and organized against a strong opponent. Despite the narrow loss, Rice and the Arsenal squad remain confident and positive about overturning the 1-0 deficit in the second leg, emphasizing their belief and determination to reach the club's first Champions League final in nearly two decades. Rice stated the importance of courage and belief, urging the team to 'have big balls' and seize the moment in what could be a historic night for Arsenal. He highlighted the team's readiness, referencing previous strong performances, including a group stage win over PSG, and stressed that the squad has no fear heading into the decisive match. The midfielder also acknowledged the early setback in the first leg but pointed out that Arsenal created chances and stayed competitive throughout the game. Overall, Rice's leadership and optimism have underscored Arsenal's mindset as they prepare for a critical European showdown.