Arteta's Arsenal Come of Age With Real Masterclass

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side came of age as they dethroned Champions League kings Real Madrid with ease to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2009.

- Agencies

LONDON:

A commanding 3-0 first-leg victory last week, lit up by two stunning Declan Rice free-kicks, laid the foundations in London.

But a 2-1 win in the cauldron of the Santiago Bernabeu to complete the job on Wednesday was a significant milestone for Arteta's rising stars.

Arteta's only major trophy in five and a half years in charge remains the 2020 FA Cup, just months into his reign.

But the Spaniard has transformed a sleeping giant back into serial contenders for major honours.

"I sensed before I signed for the club that we were on an upwards trajectory," said Rice, who rejected the advances of Manchester City to join Arsenal for a club-record £105 million ($139 million) in 2023.

"This club is going to do special things in the coming years. We all fully believe in it, we have full trust in this manager -- he's unbelievable."

Despite never winning the competition, Arsenal were part of the Champions League furniture during Arsene Wenger's reign -- between 2000 and 2017 they were ever-present in Europe's elite competition.