David Raya encourages Arsenal team-mate Declan Rice to shoot more often

By SABC Sport
10th April 2025

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has been urging Declan Rice to shoot more from distance - and that advice paid off in stunning fashion against Real Madrid.

The midfielder scored two second-half free-kicks to help sink reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid.

Rice, who had never scored from a set piece before, delivered a pair of sublime strikes to light up the Emirates and give Arsenal a commanding 3-0 lead heading into the second leg in Madrid.

"I don't think people realise what a strike he has and I've been telling him since I came to Arsenal to shoot more from outside the box because he has a hell of a strike and he showed it today," said Raya, according to the club's official website.

"He needs to shoot more because he has a hell of a strike. He has a deadly weapon."

It wasn't just Rice who shone on a memorable night for the Gunners. In the first half, Raya made a vital save, diving low to his left to deny Kylian Mbappe and keep the scores level.

Mikel Merino capped off the evening with a composed finish to make it 3-0, sending the home crowd into raptures and putting Mikel Arteta's men in firm control of the tie.

Real Madrid, last season's champions, were left reeling by Arsenal's intensity and clinical edge. The Spanish giants now face a daunting task at the Bernabeu if they are to keep their European crown.