Declan Rice in elite company with just one other Englishman having ever scored a free kick against Real Madrid in the Champions League

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Arsenal needed a moment of magic to break the deadlock against Real Madrid and midfielder Declan Rice provided two of them.

Gabriel Magalhaes joked with Rice in the dressing room after the game after the Brazilian asked the midfielder for his right foot following his sumptuous strikes.

Thibaut Courtois had no chance with the second free kick as Rice clocked an impressive 0.97 on the expected goals on target philosophy.

Rice credited Bukayo Saka for having the confidence to shoot from distance after set piece coach Nicolas Jover wanted the England midfielder to cross the ball, he didn’t and he has now gone down in Champions League history.

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Declan Rice joins David Beckham in Champions League record books

Following his brace, Rice has become the first player to score two direct free kicks in a Champions League knockout game and also followed compatriot David Beckham in making another bit of history.

Rice and Beckham are the only English players to have ever scored a free kick against Real Madrid and it could not have come at a better time for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta will already be thinking about the Premier League clash with Brentford at the Emirates Stadium as the next fixture takes on the most importance for the Spaniard.

But with his Gunners side within touching distance of the semi finals, he may choose to rest some of his stars and Rice may well be one of those names.

Mikel Arteta’s fitness update on Rice and Saka

Speaking at his post match press conference, Arteta was able to provide an update on the fitness of his Arsenal heroes Rice and Saka.

Arteta stated: “I think Dec had an issue with the foot, I don’t know if it was a tackle or what was it, and Bukayo after he got tackled on the foul I think he had a knock and he had to go. He doesn’t look serious, no.”

The Gunners boss made five changes from the side that drew with Everton at Goodison Park and it would be no surprise if similar changes were made for the visit of Thomas Frank’s side.

Jorginho and Ben White could be among the names to come into the side, whilst Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri would also fancy their chances of a run out against Brentford.