Theo Walcott admits he still has ‘no words’ for what Arsenal star did last season

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Theo Walcott can’t get one moment from Arsenal during the 2024/25 season out of his mind.

The Arsenal legend hung up his boots in 2023 but is still close to the action, taking up various punditry roles.

Walcott has shared his opinion on Arsenal’s title chances this term, following Mikel Arteta’s side after spending 12 years in North London.

Though the former Gunner, like many others, is excited by what this season could hold for Arsenal, he still can’t stop thinking about one of the high points of the 2024/25 campaign.

• READ MORE: Theo Walcott thinks Arsenal will win the Champions League because of two players

Theo Walcott is still thinking about Declan Rice’s free-kick goals against Real Madrid

Arsenal finished second last season and reached the semi-final of the Champions League.

It was in Europe that one of the Gunners’ best modern-day results occurred, as in the quarter-final, Arteta’s squad beat Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate.

During the first leg, fans were blown away as Declan Rice converted two perfect free-kicks to stun Real Madrid, with his masterful brace added to by Mikel Merino.

Speaking on Arsenal’s social media channels to preview the Gunners’ upcoming clash against Real Madrid’s rivals, Atletico Madrid, Walcott relived the first leg of last season’s meeting with Los Blancos.

Watching alongside Jack Whitehall, Walcott first reacted to Rice’s opening free-kick.

“Who saw that coming?” Whitehall asked, to which the former Arsenal player responded, “Definitely not me!”

The video then showed the second free kick being converted by Rice, prompting Walcott to say, “I have no words for how clean he’s hit that.”

Rice’s masterclass against Real Madrid was one of the finest displays the Emirates has seen, so it’s no surprise Walcott is still struggling to find the words to describe the two goals.

Even Jude Bellingham was surprised by Declan Rice’s double against Real Madrid

It wasn’t only those associated with Arsenal who were mesmerised by what Rice did.

After the game, his England teammate, Jude Bellingham, spoke to the media, admitting that he’d never seen the midfielder produce anything close to what he did that night. 

“Declan Rice’s free-kicks were surprising. I’ve not seen him do that before. So fair play to him,” Bellingham said in the post-match press conference.

Just like other mind-blowing goals from players before him, Rice’s brace will be spoken about for years to come, writing his name into Arsenal history.

The superb pair of goals is now just a memory, but on matchday three of the 2025/26 Champions League, Rice can make his presence against a Madrid-based club count again.