Declan Rice is uncertain if his two free-kick targets in opposition to Actual Madrid will ever sink in, having put Arsenal on the point of the Champions League semi-finals.
Rice discovered the top-right nook with two dead-ball makes an attempt within the second half, then Mikel Merino added one other objective as Arsenal gained Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg 3-0.
He turned the primary participant in Champions League historical past to attain two direct free-kick targets in a knockout-stage match, whereas it was simply the fifth time total a participant had scored multiple in the identical sport (additionally Cristiano Ronaldo, Hakim Ziyech, Neymar and Rivaldo).
Solely three Arsenal gamers had beforehand scored a direct free-kick within the Champions League – Alberto Mendez, Thierry Henry on three events, and Bukayo Saka.
Talking to Amazon Prime after the match, Rice mentioned: “I don’t know whether or not it can ever sink in. I’ve gone again to my cellphone and it’s gone loopy!
“To attain my first free-kick in a sport like this was particular. Then, once I received the second, I simply had the arrogance. I’m speechless actually. To beat Actual Madrid on this competitors; it’s an enormous night time for us.”
Assertion made. pic.twitter.com/14F5sGMtPg
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 8, 2025
Rice revealed he was initially going to cross the ball from the primary free-kick, on the recommendation of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
The England worldwide mentioned: “We have been saying to cross it. When the wall was over somewhat bit, we noticed the area and Bukayo mentioned: ‘if you happen to really feel it, go for it’.
“I assumed: ‘I’m going to take this’. Whenever you rating a objective, it’s the very best feeling on the earth. It didn’t make sense from that angle to cross the ball. It must be a fragile move. I’m pleased I took it as a result of it was magic.”
Regardless of Jover being seen making a whipping gesture forward of the free-kick, Arteta was pleased to let him take the credit score for the objective.
“He can declare it if he desires, it doesn’t matter,” the Gunners boss mentioned. “It’s unimaginable! If there’s a participant who can do it, with how clear he strikes it, it’s Declan.
“However you must execute it on the highest stage, in opposition to probably the greatest keepers on the earth. It’s wonderful.”
Madrid have by no means come again from three targets all the way down to win a Champions League tie, however Rice won’t take something as a right forward of going to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg subsequent Wednesday.
“Because the supervisor simply mentioned, even when we’re 3-0 up, the person high quality they’ve is frightening,” he added. “On the Bernabeu, particular issues occur for them. We wish to be within the Champions League semi-finals.”
