Martin Odegaard put his hands in disbelief. Thibaut Courtois watched his knees. Declan Rice ran at the celebration – again. He had never received a direct kick before. Now he had two in 12 minutes. Against Real Madrid.
The first of Rice’s free kicks looked quite extremely, curled inside a column in a style reminiscent of Madrid legend Roberto Carlos. The second was almost unlikely, arching in the upper corner of a similar distance. Inside the country, supporters were still collected when Mikel Merino sent a third.
It wasn’t just a victory, but a demolition. Of course there is a small matter of the other leg. Carlo Ancelotti admitted that his party had a “low opportunity” to proceed at the downbeat press conference, but this is Real Madrid. The tie wasn’t over. He’s never with them. “It’s just half -time,” Mikel Artta said.
Arsenal, however, made his statement. Before the match, Arteta said she has shown her ability to compete with any team in Europe in recent years. His belief in his party, even in the difficult season, shone. Obviously, the players returned him.
Rice wheels to celebrate after scoring their second goal as Thibaut Courtois watches
There were anxious moments in the French early stages, a swing and Miss Jakub Kiwiora, who began to shoot instead of injured Gabriel Magalhaes, which allowed Kylian Mbappe to shoot; Mishit Pass around the returning Bukayo jacket, which allowed Vinicius JR charged forward.
But Arsenal soon settled. Real Madrid continued to be in the first half of the transition, but Arsenal had better. Saka’s return to the starting lineup after an injury felt like a huge elevator, so it turned out. In the end, he would get tired, but until then there were a number of low crosses of pleading to be converted.
Arteta spoke about the need to follow the lessons last year’s quarterfinals against Bayern Munich, when Arsenal failed to earn his early dominance and eventually drew his first leg 2-2. On Tuesday evening, however, on Tuesday evening it seemed like a similar story. Madrid was probably happier from both sides.
It didn’t take long.
Arteta warned against the individual quality of Real Madrid; their ability to change games immediately. But Arsenal also has it, although in this case he came from an unlikely source. Rice never got a direct kick. Arsenal did not get one since September 2021.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Watch the best of Paul Merson’s reactions on football specialties when describing Arsenal’s victory over Real Madrid as their “biggest night” at the Emirates Stadium stadium
However, rice is still evolving; World -class player already adds layers to his game. He arrived in Arsenal as No. 6. Many supporters would still prefer him to be used there. But Artta considers him no. 8 and the phenomenal ability of the balls of balls exposed to his free kicks is just one of the many reasons.
He became an attacking force.
Rice now has 11 goals and 14 assists in 51 games plays as No. 8 for Arsenal. Since Kai Havertz’s injury in February, he enjoyed even more.
Rice’s first free kick was taken from about 25 yards
In this game, on the playground containing Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius JR and the rest, Rice had more shots than any other player, with five and other touches in an opposition box, with nine – although his best work came about 10 yards outside.
He showed his usual relentlessness from the possession and helped Arsenal’s mistakes high on the playground as part of their press, especially in the first half. His free kicks were, of course, a story, but Rice summarizes the versatile perfection of this party at best.
He wasn’t the only one who shone. It was a collective triumph, but it is not possible to mention the benefits of Myles Lewis-Sklly, the second of the largest Englishman who founded the Champions League quarterfinals, at the age of 18 and 194 days, just Judah Bellingham, who chased him.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Mikel Artta recorded “magic moments” for the victory of Arsenal
He created assistance for the third goal, found Merino with a square pass on the edge of the box, but it was only one of the many engaging moments, and in fact a rare example of the passage that did not directly contribute forward. Mostly he saw him shed through the balls through the lines, looking for runners and things happen.
Lewis-Skelly, this teenager, who did not play a senior game only a few months ago, ended this, Arsenal’s largest in decades and in the last third he made more passages than any other Bartin Odegaard player. When he was not tucked into the center of the field, Rodrygo held his left back and interfered around the challenge, fearless as always.
Myles Lewis-Skelly created an excellent performance
Arsenal must transfer the same spirit to Bernabe next week. But they will go there with the advantage of three goals and all the faith that comes with it. The other leg will be further chances to bend your muscles as a coming force on the European scene.
In the meantime, however, they can enjoy the dizzying triumph of the first.
