“We need to be counted” — Declan Rice on Bayern defeat

Arsenal midfielder, Declan Rice was all emotional following the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena to crash the famous North London side from the tournament.

Like it did a few years back, Arsenal’s foray into the Champions League ended in the same vein it did in their last appearance in it with Bayern Munich again the very foe to eliminate them from Europe.

For Declan Rice, it was a defeat that crushes hard on the team despite their performance against the Bundesliga giants.

Addressing the media following the 1-0 loss at the Allianz Arena, the Englishman conveyed the team’s collective dismay, stating,

“We’re gutted, we are distraught really. It’s just difficult to put into words.”

Reflecting on the two-leg tie, Rice highlighted moments where Arsenal had the chance to seize control but ultimately fell short. He acknowledged the uphill battle faced after going behind in the first leg and lamented conceding a crucial goal in the return fixture.

Despite the disappointment, Rice noted the team’s resilience, particularly in the first half of the match against Bayern Munich. He acknowledged the squad’s hunger and desire to succeed, expressing his personal sense of hurt at the outcome.

Looking ahead, Rice emphasized the importance of learning from the experience and rallying together as a young, talented group.

He stressed the need for Arsenal to uphold their stature as one of the world’s premier football clubs and called for a strong response in their upcoming Premier League fixture against Wolves.

“This is Arsenal Football Club, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and we need to stand tall and be counted for. And, that now goes back to Saturday. We’ve got Wolves away, and that’s where our big reaction is going to happen,” Rice affirmed.

💬 “We need to stand tall and be counted for. And, that now goes back to Saturday. We've got Wolves away, and that's where our big reaction is going to happen.”

Rice hopes we can turn the page quickly after tonight's result 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 17, 2024