Rice defines Arsenal rise in Europe with Parisian battle next in his sights

Heroics against Real Madrid will fuel hopes for semi-final challenge but midfielder may be tasked with new role

- Jacob Steinberg

Declan Rice went into Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid knowing it was a chance to go to another level. Rise to the occasion against the kings of Europe and people would see the midfielder in a different light. Remember the boy who was kicked out of Chelsea at 14? The tearful one who travelled across London for a trial at West Ham, went on to captain them to their first trophy in 43 years, and left for £105m? Well, the thing you need to know about him is that he has never been afraid to meet a challenge head on and make people think twice about questioning his talent.

So Rice backed himself when he faced Madrid and left Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric and Aurélien Tchouaméni in the shade by producing man-of-the-match displays in both legs. He drove Arsenal on, powering them forward, bending the tie to his will. Madrid, the reigning European champions, could not live with his relentlessness. There was hype around Rice's duel with Bellingham, but it did not live up to much. There was no debate about who dominated the battle between the two leaders of England's midfield.

People sometimes misread Rice and play down his ability, describing him as little more than a ball-winner with a good engine. There is a story about Chelsea letting him go because his feet were too slow and he did not turn quickly enough. But someone familiar with Rice's game and development laughs at that one. He says it is just a way for the old regime at Chelsea to justify their call to release a player who has become one of the best midfielders in the world.