Declan Rice reacts to Arsenal message ahead of Real Madrid showdown
Arsenal head into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid with Declan Rice set to be the centre of attention.
Rice’s right foot proved to be the biggest difference between the Gunners and the European champions in last week’s first leg in north London, with his two free-kicks in 12 minutes raising the roof at the Emirates.
Those two sublime strikes from similar dead-ball situations on the edge of the box – the first direct free-kicks Rice has ever scored in his career – were followed up by Mikel Merino’s goal to seal a 3-0 victory.
However, the job is still only half done for Arsenal in their bid to seal a place in the semi-finals, and while all eyes will be on Rice after his first-leg display, the onus is on Mikel Arteta to ensure they continue their run.
Rice reacts as Arsenal send clear Champions League message
Rice and his teammates have good reason to be confident as Arsenal head to the Bernabeu, with Real Madrid yet to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit in the Champions League despite their success in the competition.
| Arsenal | Statistic | Real Madrid |
| 3 | Goals | 0 |
| 1.64 | xG | 0.50 |
| 11 / 12 | Shots on Target | 3 / 9 |
| 53% | Possession | 47% |
| 5 | Corners | 3 |
The England midfielder’s two free-kicks more than justified his £100million transfer fee from West Ham in the eyes of some former Arsenal stars, and Arteta will be hoping Rice can replicate his first-leg impact.
Ahead of flying to Madrid to take on the 15-time winners, Arsenal took to their Instagram account with a post which was liked by Rice, including a three-word message which said: “In good spirits.”
Arsenal have Champions League in their sights v Real Madrid
While Rice likely won’t produce two awe-inspiring moments for Arsenal at the Bernabeu as he did in the first leg, the Gunners’ 3-0 lead on aggregate means that Arteta’s approach will be more defensive-minded.
Keith Hackett‘s Football Insider prediction that Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger would avoid joining Eduardo Camavinga on the sidelines suspended has proven correct, giving Arteta more problems to solve.
Arsenal advancing to the last four – which they could hardly be better-placed to do – will put a maiden Champions League title well within their reach, and Rice’s quarter-final first-leg display could prove to be the performance which sent Arteta‘s side on their way.