Arsenal Star Declan Rice scored two stunning free kicks to help the Gunners on the way to a 3-0 win over Real Madrid in their first leg of the Champions League
Mikel Arteta greeted Arsenal's “Magical” Champions League evening – and then insisted that they can go completely. Declan Rice hit two beautiful free kicks – the first he ever scored directly of a free kick in his career – to set up an unforgettable evening in the Emirates.
Gunners -Baas Arteta believes that it will now give his players a huge conviction that they can compete the job in the Bernabeu and can eliminate the trophy. Arteta said: “If you have not played this team for 20 years, you have the chance to write your own history and they are nights like these where you can do that.
“They were magical moments. We have much more to give. It will believe us even more. I believed and you have to believe. The crowd was incredible, they gave us so much energy.
“He never scored a free kick in his career, we have not scored direct free kick since Burnley in September 2021. What are the opportunities?
“It was two moments of individual quality and we have to show that we can do that again next week. Real Madrid changed the competition, they are the best team in the history of the competition and it was so important for us to take the next step.”
And rice could hardly believe what he had done at the Emirates. The international of England saw his chance on Tuesday evening and took it.
Rice said: “Originally we crossed the first, but I saw the wall and the position of the keeper. The second I had the confidence and I hit it.
“It is not going to touch me yet because there is another leg to go. I am excited, I am happy, I am in the clouds. It is the best feeling in the world. In a few years it will affect me that what I have done tonight is really special.”
Arsenal's victory also guarantees the Premier League a fifth Champions League place next season, but Real Madrid -Baas Carlo Ancelotti insists that they can still destroy the defeat.
Ancelotti, who took full responsibility for the loss, said: “The possibility is low, but we have to try 100 percent and do everything we can. It is our chance to show a response to a bad game.
“If you look at the game, there is no possibility, but everything can happen in football. We have to believe, we have to trust because it can happen in the Bernabeu.”
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