UCL: Arsenal Ready For Atletico Madrid Challenge — Rice

Declan Rice has expressed confidence that Arsenal are fully prepared for their UEFA Champions League semi-final showdown against Atletico Madrid.

Speaking after Arsenal’s disciplined 0-0 draw with Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium — a result that secured a 1-0 aggregate victory — Rice praised his team’s resilience over the two legs.

“To reach back-to-back semi-finals is an incredible achievement for this group,” he said. “But we are not satisfied — we want to go one step further and reach the final.”

The England international acknowledged the challenge posed by Atletico, a side renowned for their tactical discipline and defensive solidity under Diego Simeone.

However, Rice pointed to Arsenal’s earlier meeting with the Spanish side this season as evidence that they can compete at the highest level.

“We have played them before this year, and it was a really good game. We know what to expect,” he added.

With momentum building and belief growing, Mikel Arteta’s side will head into the semi-final with cautious