Arsenal’s second-leg win over Real Madrid in the Champions League was slightly more difficult than the reverse fixture.
The Gunners were definitely the better team in both games and deservedly won the tie 5-1. Carlo Ancelotti‘s side were no match for the North Londoners.
However, Real Madrid were better in the second leg than they were in the first at the Emirates, and the game was in the balance on a few occasions on Wednesday night.
Bukayo Saka scored and made a difference, but when Arsenal needed someone to step up and snatch the game away from Real Madrid, another player stood tall and delivered.
Mikel Arteta raves about Declan Rice for ‘turning the game around’ vs Real Madrid
Declan Rice has had an incredible week.
The Englishman is one of the best midfielders in the world, and he has been sensational since he joined the Gunners in 2023.
Rice scored two stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid in the first leg and then picked up a fantastic assist against Brentford in the Premier League.
In the second leg against the Galacticos, Rice didn’t get on the score sheet, but he was Arsenal’s driving force in the middle of the park.
Mikel Arteta was beyond impressed with his number 41 and claimed that Rice completely ‘turned the game around’ when it was in the balance.
He told TNT Sports: “I think tonight he was immense. I think he turned the game around at the moment when the game was 50-50. He got the ball, he turned the game, I think he was immense today. He made the difference in the tie.”
In his press conference after the game, Arteta added, as per Arsenal.com: “He was decisive today in a different way, I think it was immense. His presence, the power that he showed, how composed he was, with or without the ball, I think he led the team in many moments and turned the game in our favour.
“I think that’s why we need players at his level to step up and have a big contribution, and he certainly has done that.”
Declan Rice’s stats vs Real Madrid will blow you away
Rice was named as the Player of the Match for the second week in a row against Real Madrid.
The former West Ham man completely deserves the award because he was absolutely exceptional against the Galacticos in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
In his 89 minutes on the pitch, Rice had 50 touches of the ball and completed all but one of his passes, thus maintaining a stunning 96 per cent passing accuracy. He also created two chances, which is excellent.
To add to that, Rice registered five interceptions, three clearances, two tackles and two blocks. He wasn’t dribbled past a single time in the entire game either. (Sofascore)
The Arsenal number 41 was truly magnificent, and Arteta will want him to play at the same level against Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final as well.
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