GUNNERS RICE TO THE CHALLENGE

Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal defied the odds with its stunning 3-0 win against Real Madrid, as Declan Rice's free-kick magic left the Champions League holder in disarray.

Rice inspired one of the greatest results in Arsenal's storied history with two blistering freekicks in the second half of the quarterfinal first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Mikel Merino scored the third goal for Arteta's side, as it moved within touching distance of a first Champions League semifinal appearance since 2009.

It was an incredible moment for England midfielder Rice, who had never scored from a freekick in his career — a period spanning 338 previous matches — before the first of his thunderbolts flashed past Real keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Arsenal had also failed to find the net from a direct set-piece in almost four years, with its last coming via Martin Odegaard against Burnley in September 2021.

Gunners captain Odegaard put his hands on his head in disbelief when Rice completed his set-piece double, while Arteta was equally surprised.

"Declan's been very determined, because we have said in the last few months that we have not scored from a direct freekick in three-and-a-half years," the Arsenal manager said.

"So, to score two in 12 minutes, of that magnitude and of that quality from the same player, a player that has never scored from a freekick before in his career, what are the odds?

"If there's a player who can do it, how clean he strikes it, it's Declan. But, to execute it at the highest level, and against one of the best keepers in the world as well — it's amazing."

It was a cathartic result for Arsenal, which has endured a rocky season marred by its failure to keep pace with Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

The north Londoners are 11 points adrift of the league leader, leaving the Champions League as their last chance this season to win a first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup.

Few would have expected them to get past 15-time European champion Real before the first leg.

But now, Arsenal will travel to the Bernabeu for the return tie next week as firm favorite to progress to a last-four clash against Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa.

'Magic moments'

"Beautiful. So proud of the team. I've never seen the stadium like this," Arteta said.

"For big European nights, you need the big stadiums that create atmosphere, and you need individual magic moments. And, there you go. That's the beauty of whoever invented this sport."

Arsenal famously knocked out Real in the last 16 en route to its only Champions League final appearance in 2006.

Repeating that run to the final and winning the tournament for the first time would end any doubts about Arteta, who has been questioned at times during his team's inconsistent campaign.

But, the Spaniard, whose team blew significant leads in the title race over the previous two seasons, has no intention of taking victory for granted against Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded side.

"When you have not played against this team for the past 20 years, and not had a proper run in this competition, you have to be prepared to write your own history, and it is on nights like this where you can do that. We did that, but we have a lot more to give," he said.

"It's another step in the right direction as a team. But, we have to make another one and replicate what we've done tonight. Now, we have to go to the Bernabeu and do it. That will be another step.

"I will enjoy the win, because we deserve it. But, we have to be even better in Madrid. We are just in the middle of the tie. There is so much to do yet."

For Real to produce an incredible escape act in the second leg, it will have to set a new mark in its glittering European history.

The Spanish giant has never overturned a three-goal first leg Champions League deficit, but Ancelotti is convinced there is still a chance.

"There is always a first time. The only thing you can do together, is to try. The comeback starts tonight," said the Italian.

"The possibilities are quite low, but we have to try at 100 percent and do all we can. It is an opportunity to show our game."

AFP