It’s beautiful: Arteta hails Rice free-kick as Arsenal stun Real

Rice inspired one of the greatest results in Arsenal’s storied history with two blistering free-kicks in the second half of the quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

- LONDON

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

Rice inspired one of the greatest results in Arsenal’s storied history with two blistering free-kicks in the second half of the quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Mikel Merino scored a third goal for Arteta’s side as they moved within touching distance of a first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009.

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

Arsenal have also failed to find the net from a direct free-kick in almost four years, with their 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 a direct free-kick in three-and-half years,” the Arsenal manager said.