Declan Rice excited to realise Champions League dreams with Arsenal
- Rice joined Arsenal for £105m - a British transfer record
- Midfielder has never played in the Champions League
- Gunners are back in Europe's top competition for first time since 2017
By Tom Gott
New Arsenal signing Declan Rice has admitted he is looking forward to finally getting his first taste of Champions League football with the Gunners.
The £105m man has never played in Europe's top competition and his desire to do so played a huge part in his decision to leave Europa Conference League winners West Ham United this summer.
Rice is now set for his first taste of Champions League action with an Arsenal side who have not taken part in the competition since the 2016/17 season - also the same year in which Rice made his debut in senior football.
"I’m so excited for that," he told Arsenal media. "I’ve said for many years now that I’ve wanted to play in the Champions League. I’ve wanted to push myself at the biggest level. This opportunity at Arsenal has arisen where Arsenal are in the Champions League, it’s a great club.
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"At the end of the day you get one career, and I want to be as successful as I can with Arsenal, make as many Champions League appearances as possible and hopefully one day get my hands on that trophy."
"My ambitions now are to win with Arsenal," Rice continued. "I think this fanbase deserves it. There have been FA Cups and Community Shields, but now it’s time to go one step bigger and win the Premier League, win the Champions League. I wouldn’t be here if I did not believe that.
"I believe in this squad. I believe in the manager. We have a real good energy around and when everyone is pushing in the right direction Arsenal will take some stopping."
"I believe in this squad. I believe in the manager. We have a real good energy around and when everyone is pushing in the right direction Arsenal will take some stopping."
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