Arsenal fans are calling for Mikel Arteta to make one huge change after incident in Real Madrid victory

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Arsenal had almost the perfect evening in Madrid after their 2-1 victory sealed a place in the Champions League semi-final.

Arsenal fans were shocked by Bukayo Saka after the winger missed a crucial early penalty that would have settled the tie beyond any doubt but soon made amends by opening the scoring with a delicious finish.

William Saliba made a rare error to allow Vinicius Jr to equalise for the hosts but in stoppage time Gabriel Martinelli raced through on the end of a wonderful pass from Mikel Merino to secure victory on the night.

Mikel Arteta singled out Declan Rice for his performance across the whole tie but he will now be without his midfield partner Thomas Partey for the first leg clash against PSG after the Ghanaian was booked in the final moments.

READ MORE: Forget Declan Rice, ‘exceptional’ Arsenal ace was the real reason behind Champions League triumph over Real Madrid

Declan Rice furious with Thomas Partey after Champions League suspension

Partey was booked late on in the match for naively getting involved in an altercation with Jude Bellingham with the tie already in the bag.

It means now Partey misses the clash against PSG at the Emirates Stadium and leaves a hole in midfield that Arteta now has to fill. Rice visibly showed his frustration with his team mate.

The England international was seen pulling Partey away from the situation and then had some strong words to his Gunners midfield partner.

It leaves Arteta with a dilemma now against the French champions as to whether he moves Rice back into the six position or takes Merino from his central striker role.

Arsenal fans call for Declan Rice to be made captain

Arsenal fans were unimpressed with Martin Odegaard against Real Madrid and some fans are now calling for Rice to replace the Norwegian as captain after his show of leadership in the Partey situation.

One Arsenal fan wrote: “Rice should be Arsenal captain. This is the kind of mentality we have lacked in the past.”

Another fan wrote: “Was my exact reaction. Declan Rice really should have the armband. Proper captain.” Whilst another wrote: “Declan Rice. Arsenal’s next captain.”

It is highly unlikely that Arteta would make any changes to the captaincy even in the summer let alone with such high stakes during a Champions League run.

However, it is clear that Rice is the driving force behind the Gunners at the moment and Odegaard needs to find the form that once made him such a favourite with the Arsenal supporters.