London, England – April 11, 2025
Declan Rice delivered one of the defining performances of Arsenal’s season — and he did it his way.
In Tuesday’s 3-0 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first-leg win over Real Madrid, Rice shocked both fans and coaches by scoring two free-kick goals — despite specific instructions not to shoot.
Rice Defies Set-Piece Instructions, Delivers Brilliance
After the match, Rice revealed that set-piece coach Nicolas Jover had instructed him to cross rather than shoot from the free-kick positions. But the midfielder trusted his instincts.
“It didn’t make sense,” Rice said. “Bukayo [Saka] told me, ‘If you feel it, go for it.’ I looked at the wall and the keeper and thought, ‘I can bend this around the outside.’”
His instinct paid off. Both strikes found the back of the net, sending the Emirates crowd into a frenzy and giving Arsenal a commanding lead heading into the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Mikel Arteta Embraces the Moment
Far from frustrated, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Rice’s initiative and vision.
“I love it — especially when it goes in the back of the net instead of starting a counterattack,” Arteta said.
“Taking initiative, making things happen, and believing you can win the game yourself — that’s what it takes to reach the next level.”
Arteta stressed that elite Champions League clubs rely on individual brilliance, and Rice’s performance epitomized the self-belief needed to thrive on Europe’s biggest stage.
Arsenal’s Champions League Momentum Builds
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Final Score: Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid
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Goals: Declan Rice (2), Mikel Merino (1)
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Context: Arsenal edge closer to their first UCL semifinal appearance since 2009
With one foot in the semifinals, Arsenal will now focus on closing an 11-point Premier League gap to leaders Liverpool while managing squad rotation for the second leg in Madrid.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
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Premier League Fixture: Arsenal vs. Brentford (Saturday)
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Champions League Fixture: Real Madrid vs. Arsenal – UCL Quarterfinal Second Leg (Wednesday)
