Declan Rice scored two sumptuous free-kicks for Arsenal against Real Madrid in the Champions League, cementing himself into the North London club’s history books.
With the game poised at 0-0, Rice stepped up to beautifully curl past Thibaut Courtois in the 57th minute, before repeating the feat with an even more spectacular effort just 12 minutes later.
Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners, giving themselves an unassailable lead heading to the Bernabeu next week.
Rice’s two sublime strikes stunned the football world, with the Gunners making a statement victory on one of their great nights in Europe.
- READ MORE: Forget Declan Rice, two Arsenal stars were an even bigger impact in Real Madrid thrashing
Ian Wright reveals what Declan Rice texted him
Aside from his two world-class free-kicks, Rice put in a commanding display at the Emirates, dominating a fragile Real Madrid midfield with his immense physicality and technical guile.
The likes of Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga couldn’t deal with the Englishman, who ran the show for Arsenal.
Rice now has the opportunity to plaster himself into Arsenal folklore, by leading the Gunners to a Champions League semi-final by knocking out Real Madrid.
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast, Arsenal legend Ian Wright revealed that he sent Rice a screenshot of the second free-kick hitting the top corner the morning after the game.
“I sent it to Decs [Declan Rice] this morning,” the pundit said.
“He sent me right, saying ‘Let’s go. Let’s go’. Because like, you know what? It couldn’t have happened to a better guy.
“He’s just honestly… I’m just so happy.”
To have the endorsement and backing of one of the Gunners’ greatest-ever players will no doubt fill Rice with confidence, and he can now ascend in that echelon of players for the club if he can continue his heroics in this season’s Champions League.
Declan Rice’s statistics vs Real Madrid
When all is said and done, Rice’s display against Los Blancos will go down as one of the all-time great Champions League performances.
Providing two-match winning contributions, the midfielder was sensational throughout with everything he did.
| Rice’s Statistics vs Real Madrid | |
| Minutes Played | 80 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Accurate Passes | 27/30 (90%) |
| Shots | 5 |
| Touches in Opposition Box | 9 |
| Passes into Final Third | 2 |
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of his game was the third man runs he made into the box.
Consistently breaking into Real Madrid’s penalty area with late bursts, Rice was a goal threat throughout, managing nine touches in the box and taking five shots.
Rice has flirted with the idea of being Arsenal’s Frank Lampard, and he could finally fulfil this role.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
