The Gunners crushed the European champions on Tuesday evening, winning 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium during the first leg of their quarter-final. Rice opened the scoring on an incredible free kick just before the game time, then scored another magnificent goal 12 minutes later. Mikel Merino sealed the scoring a quarter of an hour from the end.
Although Arsenal is renowned for its mastery of set kicks stopped this season, the club had not scored on a direct free kick for almost four years before Rice beats Thibaut Courtois in Madrid goals. During his post-match press conference, Arteta said that Rice was impatient to become their main free kick.
Declan Rice shone against Real Madrid
Arteta said about Rice: “He is very determined because we have discussed in recent months. We have not scored a direct free kick since September 2021, in Burnley, on a stroke of Martin Odegaard. »»
“It's been a long time, so scoring two goals of this magnitude and this quality in 12 minutes by the same player – a player who has never marked a free kick in his career – what are the chances? But he did it tonight. »»
Arsenal supporters will inevitably have an eye on the return match in Santiago Bernabéu next Wednesday. Before that, they have to play a premier League at home against Brentford this Saturday. Bees coach Thomas Frank was spotted on an Emirates and was present to attend the Gunners' defeat against Real Madrid.
