Declan Rice has warned Arsenal’s rivals that the Premier League champions are “coming back for more” after celebrating their title triumph less than 24 hours after Champions League final heartbreak.
Declan Rice has warned Arsenal’s rivals that the Premier League champions are “coming back for more” next season, despite the disappointment of losing the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal’s players were back in north London on Sunday for their title parade, less than 24 hours after the pain of defeat in Europe. The contrast was sharp as well over a million joyous Arsenal fans took to the streets, but Rice used the celebrations to make clear that Mikel Arteta’s side see this season as a beginning, not a peak.
“In my first season with Arsenal we went out in the quarters, my second season we went out in the semis, and this year we lost in the final,” he said.
“It is the same with the Premier League. It was three years of coming second, and to win it was incredible, and I can’t describe the feeling of winning that.
“But having lost the Champions League final I now have that feeling of wanting to come back and lift that trophy. I am sure we will be back. This club has got really exciting times coming, it is on an upward trajectory, we are going to go again next year, we are going to be ready, and we will stick together and keep fighting.
“The thing is, they [rival fans] pointed and they laughed. They are not laughing any more. Next year, we are coming back for more. So lock in, or get locked out.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly struck a similar note, saying the pain of the final would only strengthen the group.
“It’s disappointing when you’re so close to a dream and a goal and you fall slightly short,” he said. “As Mikel said, it’s added fuel to the fire, so we will use that.
“It means everything to share this moment with our people. It’s incredible because it’s a chance to repay them. Sharing this moment together is special. I’m so excited.
“The future is bright. It’s the start of a new era and we’re ready to go out and achieve our dreams.”
That ambition was echoed inside the club. Before the parade, chief executive Richard Garlick told staff Arsenal intend to build from this position of strength rather than settle for one title.
“We are going to go again next year,” he said. “We are going to push harder.
“We are going to bring home some trophies, because that is what we want to do as a football club. We are in a great position. We have got a great platform to move forward.”
Josh Kroenke, son of owner Stan Kroenke, was also among those joining in with chants during the parade as he partied with the players on their bus while wearing an Arsenal meme t-shirt.
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