Mikel Arteta lauds Declan Rice's free-kick mastery in Arsenal's stunning win over Real Madrid

The victory has placed the Gunners on the verge of their first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009, with Mikel Merino's late goal adding to an already unforgettable night.

The match was a historic one for Rice, who had never previously scored a direct free-kick in his career. His stunning brace ended a 338-game wait for such a goal, while also breaking Arsenal's long-standing drought - their last direct free-kick goal had been Martin Odegaard's strike against Burnley in 2021. Rice's double came in quick succession in the second half, with the second goal leaving Odegaard visibly stunned and Arteta in awe of his midfielder's brilliance.

"Declan's been so determined. We've talked a lot about how we haven't scored a direct free-kick in three and a half years," Arteta said, reflecting on the magnitude of Rice's goals. "So, to score two in 12 minutes from a player who has never done it before-what are the odds? If there's anyone who can do it, it's Declan. He strikes the ball so cleanly, and to execute it at the highest level, especially against one of the best goalkeepers in the world, is just amazing."

Despite trailing Liverpool by 11 points in the Premier League, Arsenal's European hopes remain alive and well. This resounding win over Madrid positions them as strong favorites going into the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu on April 16. Many had written off Arsenal's chances of eliminating the 15-time European champions, but Arteta's side has once again proven their potential on the grand stage.

"Beautiful. So proud of the team. I've never seen the stadium like this," Arteta said, reflecting on the atmosphere. "For big European nights, you need big stadiums to create the atmosphere. And you also need individual magic moments-and that's what we had tonight. That's the beauty of this sport."

Arsenal's 2006 Champions League run, where they famously knocked out Real Madrid in the last 16, is still etched in the club's history. Now, nearly two decades later, they find themselves in a similar position-on the cusp of repeating history, only this time with a commanding three-goal advantage and a place in the semi-finals within their grasp.

READ MORE: Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois takes blame for Declan Rice's opening free-kick goal