Declan Rice On Why He's A 'Big-Game Player' As Arsenal Eyes UCL, EPL Double

Declan Rice has opened up on his evolution into a "big-game player" as Arsenal prepare for a historic Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. 

Having already secured the Premier League title, the England midfielder is now focused on completing a legendary double in Budapest.

Rice is no stranger to European success, having previously captained West Ham to Europa Conference League glory.

However, as he prepares to lead Arsenal’s midfield in the Champions League final, the stakes have never been higher. The 27-year-old believes he has developed the temperament required to thrive when the world is watching, labeling himself a specialist for the grandest stages in world football.

"I would like to say I'm a big-game player," Rice said in interview with uefa.com during the build-up to the final. 

"When you play in the biggest competitions, you need your players to step up at every single point, and not only just me. I think our team have done that over the last few years in big games – we've stepped up, especially in the Champions League. There's a few of us that have got that in us, and we're going to need that going into the final as well."

(Getty Images Sport)

While Rice experienced the high of lifting a trophy in Prague with the Hammers, his career has also been marked by several painful final defeats, including two European Championship losses with England. 

Rather than letting those failures weigh him down, the midfielder uses them as fuel to ensure he doesn't experience that "hurt" again. 

Rice insists that every loss stands him in good stead for the challenge posed by Luis Enrique’s PSG side.

"I've lost a fair few finals now: two EURO finals, the League Cup final. It hurts because when you get to a final,