Declan Rice hits back at critics as Arsenal reach semi-finals in 'amazing achievement'

[p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Gunners[/a] progressed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/arsenal-hA1Zm19f/sporting-cp-tljXuHBC/summary/stats/?mid=nJz1sa9F"]1-0 on aggregate thanks to Kai Havertz's late winner[/a] in the Portuguese capital last week.[/p][p]Arsenal, who have never won the Champions League, were knocked out in the last four by eventual winners [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/psg/CjhkPw0k/"]Paris Saint-Germain[/a] last season.[/p][p]They will face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atl-madrid/jaarqpLQ/"]Atletico Madrid[/a] in the semi-finals for the chance to take on PSG or Bayern Munich in Budapest next month.[/p][p][b]"To go back-to-back semi-finals is an is an amazing achievement for this group,"[/b] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rice-declan/zkQ8Cm6n/"]Rice[/a] told [i]TNT Sports[/i]. [b]"We want to now go one step further than last year and get to the final."[/b][/p][embed guid="2a9031cc-15d5-4b51-bf67-39cf624253f6" url="https://x.com/Arsenal/status/2044527711926861848" social-type="twitter" /][p]Yet a stalemate short on excitement at the Emirates did little to set up Mikel Arteta's men for a potential Premier League title decider away to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]Manchester City[/a] on Sunday.[/p][p]Arsenal have won just one of their last five games in all competitions, a run which includes losing the League Cup final to City and being dumped out of the FA Cup by second-tier Southampton.[/p][p][b]"Positivity all the way," [/b]added Rice. [b]"Who cares what people think. All that matters is what this group thinks, what the manager thinks, and we're in another semi-final. I'm delighted."[/b][/p][embed guid="ac1bb05c-2676-4c85-b388-40324ed2f9d2" url="https://x.com/Flashscorecom/status/2044528718270357523" social-type="twitter" /][p]City trail Arsenal by six points at the top of the table but have a game in hand on the leaders and home advantage when they face off this weekend.[/p][p][b]"Our record this year has been amazing in all competitions,"[/b] said Rice.[/p][p][b]"How much (do) you want it? I know I'll be ready, I know the boys will be ready, so let's go!"[/b][/p]