Arsenal are the talk of Europe after their statement Champions League quarter-final first-leg win against Real Madrid.
Thibaut Courtois played down Arsenal’s home record in the Champions League this season, yet the former Chelsea goalkeeper left red-faced.
An outrageous Declan Rice double from two direct free kicks caused the Emirates to erupt, with Mikel Merino putting the icing on the cake with a well-taken third.
Mikel Arteta’s side will take a dream result to the Bernabeu in the second leg after a perfect performance at the Emirates.
On a night of magic in N5, here’s how the players rated.
Arsenal player ratings vs Real Madrid
David Raya – 7
Commanded his box well and kept the efforts of Kylian Mbappe at bay when Real Madrid threatened.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 9
Arsenal fans were mesmerised by Lewis-Skelly and for good reason, as the 18-year-old didn’t put a foot wrong against the Champions League holders.
Composed yet a relentless source of energy in everything he did, a sublime display.
Jakub Kiwior – 7
Kiwior had big shoes to fill in the absence of Gabriel Magalhaes, but for the most part, the Poland international impressed.
There were moments that the centre-back was preyed on by Mbappe however, his blushes were spared by those around him.
William Saliba – 8
Saliba has known Mbappe since childhood and it showed, as the Frenchman gave the Real Madrid magician the little brother treatment at the Emirates.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Timber was praised before the game and proved exactly why he’s so highly rated by Arteta, using his pace and power to provide reliable defensive cover on the right up against one of the world’s best.
Thomas Partey – 7.5
A defiant performance from Partey who calmed things down in midfield and broke up play when needed.
Declan Rice – 10
Two perfectly taken free kicks, a near-perfect attacking display and a defensive force to be reckoned with – need we say more?
Martin Odegaard – 7
A captain’s performance from Odegaard who pulled the strings against his former club. The Norwegian led Arsenal when pressing and had an eye for a deadly pass behind the front line.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
Strong evening for Martinelli who caused Real Madrid real problems on the left side, a keen runner with an eye to cause chaos.
Bukayo Saka – 10
Saka was asked about the gap between himself and Vinicius Junior pre-match, and the winger responded with a clear answer on the pitch.
For his first start in over 100 days, the Hale End graduate couldn’t have done much more in a fixture for the ages, a brilliant performance.
Mikel Merino – 8
Merino punished Real Madrid for the sixth time in his career by scoring against Los Blancos.
The Spaniard took his goal perfectly and was a force to be reckoned with when dropping into midfield.
Substitutes
Leandro Trossard – 6
Was introduced with big shoes to fill when replacing Saka.
Kieran Tierney – 6
Ben White – N/A
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