ARTETA, ODEGAARD, AND RICE VOW ARSENAL WILL RISE AGAIN.

Arsenal’s Champions League dream ended in agony in Budapest, but Mikel Arteta,
Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice all delivered the same message after their penalty
shootout defeat to PSG: the pain will not break them.

Arteta admitted the loss was difficult to accept after seeing his side come within a
few kicks of European glory.

“Pain, that’s it,” the Arsenal manager said. “When you’re so close, a few penalty
kicks away, that’s all you feel. We have to go through that pain, digest it, and turn it
into fuel.”

The Spaniard congratulated PSG and Luis Enrique, describing the French
champions as “the best team in the world”, while insisting Arsenal’s unbeaten run
through the competition showed how far his side had come.
“We haven’t lost a single game in the competition, but the situations in the boxes
didn’t go our way today,” he said.

Arteta also paid tribute to his players and staff, saying their achievements extended
far beyond trophies.
“Saying thank you one million times is not enough. Not because of winning the
league or playing in the final, but because of the joy we have together.”

The Arsenal boss promised a thorough review of the campaign in the coming weeks
as he looks to take the club “to another level”.

Captain Martin Odegaard echoed his manager’s sentiments, describing the defeat as
“brutal” after such a remarkable season.

“You want to win so bad, and to turn up with nothing is brutal,” the Norwegian said.
“But we’ve still done some incredible things this season, and we’ll get over this loss
and come back even stronger next year.”

Odegaard pointed to the fine margins that separated the two sides, believing Arsenal
had largely executed their game plan.

“We started really well, got the first goal, and defended really well. PSG had the ball
a lot, but they didn’t create anything. We did everything we could; it’s just tough to
lose like that.”

The midfielder also ended any speculation over his future, insisting he remains fully
committed to the club.

“I have a contract here, and I’m really happy here. Hopefully I can stay many more
years.”

Rice then reinforced the growing sense of belief within the Arsenal camp, despite the
disappointment of falling at the final hurdle.

The England midfielder described the campaign as an “incredible journey” and
praised the squad for competing on all fronts after a demanding 63-game season.

“To lose a Champions League final on penalties, with the small margins, really hurts,
but that doesn’t define this group,” Rice said.

While congratulating PSG and acknowledging their status among Europe’s elite,
Rice felt Arsenal had matched them for long spells and successfully limited one of
the world’s most dangerous attacks.

Most importantly, he insisted the defeat would become motivation rather than a
setback.

“We’re devastated, but we’re going to use this moment to fuel us for the upcoming
seasons,” he said. “There is no reason why we are stopping here. Next year, we’re
going to go even stronger, and we’re going to be ready again.”

Rice also revealed Arteta’s message to the players after the final whistle, with the
manager urging them to keep their heads high and remain proud of everything they
achieved.

For Arsenal, Budapest ended in heartbreak. But from their manager, captain, and
midfield leader came a united promise that this painful night will serve as the
foundation for another assault on European football’s biggest prize.