Declan Rice issued an eight-word rally cry to his Arsenal team-mates ahead of their crunch Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Gunners went into what was one of the biggest games in their recent history on the back of a stunning victory over holders Real Madrid, after winning 5-1 on aggregate to allow their fans to start believing.
Mikel Arteta had issued his own rallying cry to fans before the game, asking them to create a stellar atmosphere inside the ground as they looked to take an advantage into the second leg next week.
And it appeared that message translated to his team too, and the Amazon Prime Video cameras caught Rice’s message in the huddle before the game.
Rice has been a focus of Arsenal’s Champions League run, with the England star netting two stunning free-kicks three weeks ago to put his side on course to beat Madrid.
And it was he who took centre stage in the huddle, with captain Martin Odegaard allowing Rice to tell his team-mates: ‘If we don’t have the ball, we die.’
It was a slow start for the Gunners, though. Ousmane Dembele netted the opener in the fourth minute, silencing a loud Emirates in north London.
Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, who was working on punditry for the game, was full of praise for his countryman before kick-off.
‘I think he has been getting up to world class,’ Rooney said. ‘He has changed his position slightly of late and it suits him.
‘I would have liked him further forward today. Vitinha for PSG is important, but, in terms of the midfield three for both teams, it’s important to get the balance right of when they go forward and who is controlling the defence and organising.’
More to follow.
