Declan Rice vows Arsenal will ‘go even stronger’ and ‘are coming back for more’

Declan Rice has promised that Arsenal “are coming back for more” next season after putting aside their disappointment at losing on penalties in the Champions League final by parading the Premier League trophy in north London. Paris Saint-Germain retained their European crown after a nail-biting shootout in Budapest, which ended with Gabriel Magalhães missing the decisive spot kick. Arsenal – who have played more games in the competition without winning it than any other club – reached the Champions League final for the first time since 2006 having made steady progress under Mikel Arteta in recent seasons. Rice scored in the shootout and chanted “Set-piece FC” on a microphone as Arsenal showed off the Premier League trophy they won for the first time since 2004. He believes the best is still to come from a squad that includes the exciting 16-year-old Max Dowman. “Speaking to the players, obviously the manager, there is no reason why we are stopping here,” he said. “Next season we are going to go even stronger and we are going to be ready again so it is exciting times for this club. To see the joy we can give people is crazy. Next year, we’re coming back for more.” Asked what Arteta had said to the players after the defeat by PSG, he added: “He told us he loves us all, to keep our heads up, to be proud of what we have achieved this season. …