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Declan Rice has opened up about how observing Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard influenced his development into what Mikel Arteta calls the "lighthouse" of Arsenal’s midfield. With the Gunners gearing up for a historic UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, the England star aims to emulate one of football’s greatest leaders by driving his team towards European success.

The Gerrard influence on Rice’s rise

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has often used unique metaphors to describe his key players, and his depiction of Rice as the club’s “lighthouse” has become particularly memorable. Yet, for Rice himself, his journey has been inspired by another Premier League great — Steven Gerrard.

Speaking to uefa.com, the 27-year-old midfielder admitted that he has spent time studying Gerrard’s approach to the game, seeking to mirror the former Liverpool captain’s ability to impact matches both defensively and offensively.

“Arteta has really helped turn me into a more complete midfielder — someone capable of doing a bit of everything,” Rice said. “I remember Steven Gerrard once saying that he saw himself as a midfielder who could contribute all over the pitch. I feel the same. I can defend when needed, but I can also push forward to support the attack. I try to balance both sides of the game.”

Becoming Arsenal’s guiding light

After lifting the Premier League trophy earlier this season, Rice now has his sights set on completing a remarkable double in Budapest. Known for his ability to perform under pressure, he believes that mindset runs deep within this Arsenal squad.

“I want to stay active on the pitch while expressing my personality and strengths, and Arteta has played a huge role in helping me achieve that,” Rice explained. “From one of our first meetings, he called me Arsenal’s lighthouse. I’d never heard anything like that before, but it’s the kind of thing he comes up with — something original and meaningful.”

Turning past pain into motivation

Rice’s career has seen both triumph and heartbreak in major finals. While he captained West Ham United to Europa Conference League success in 2023, he has also endured defeat in two European Championship finals with England and one League Cup final. Instead of allowing those losses to weigh him down, Rice believes they have provided valuable experience that fuels his ambition as Arsenal prepare to face Luis Enrique’s PSG.

“I’ve lost quite a few finals — two EURO finals and a League Cup final — and those moments really hurt because reaching a final means you’re so close to silverware,” he said. “But those setbacks also toughen you up. They make you more determined to win, and that’s the drive I want to bring into every game now.”

Seeking Champions League redemption

Arsenal’s painful elimination in last season’s semi-finals against PSG still lingers in the minds of fans and players alike. The Gunners felt they were the stronger team across both legs but failed to make their dominance count. As they prepare for another clash with the French champions, Rice has urged his teammates to be ruthless in front of goal to avoid history repeating itself.

“PSG are a top-quality side. We faced them over two legs last year, and it could have gone either way,” Rice recalled. “Looking back at that semi-final defeat, the key lesson was that you have to take your chances. We created plenty but didn’t finish them. Those experiences prepare you for what’s ahead, and this time, we’ll be ready.”