“Although I scored two most beautiful free-kick goals in football history but that guy was the best player on the pitch and he deserves all the praises not me”: Arsenal’s free-kick hero Declan Rice names ONE Arsenal’s teammate who deserved all the praises against Real Madrid yesterday
Declan Rice will steal the headlines for his performance against Real Madrid for Arsenal, but had positive words for one of his colleagues.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was the star of the show in an unforgettable night for the Gunners under the lights at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, bagging a brace through two glorious free kicks to beat Real Madrid 3-0.
Mikel Arteta’s men have one foot in the Champions League semi-final ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu next week. Rice was the subject of great praise after the match but, speaking to Prime Video, the England international took time to send some adoration the way of an Arsenal teammate in Bukayo Saka.
The winger started his first game since returning from a hamstring injury against Fulham last week and played 74 minutes in the match, coming off with a small knock that Arteta assured supporters was nothing to worry about.
Declan Rice shares love for Bukayo Saka
Rice said: “It’s amazing [to have him back in the side]. The other night when he came on against Fulham, that reception that he got was incredible.
“He’s worked his socks off for three months. You could see how much it hurt him when he got injured because he’s played so many games at such a young age. That hunger and desire to want to play football matches for this club, he got that really fast. He’s played three games now and we really need him for the back end of this season.”
The former West Ham man, who had never scored from a direct free kick in his senior career until taking on Real Madrid, admitted he had gone against the advice of coaching staff when deciding to shoot rather than cross from the set play.
What Mikel Arteta said to Arsenal team after Real Madrid win
Speaking after the match, Rice assured viewers that Arsenal remained grounded ahead of the second leg and were not getting carried away with the 3-0 win. He said: “I don’t know whether it will ever sink in, I’ve gone back to my phone and it’s gone crazy.
“To score my first free kick in the game was a highlight for me… and then to score the second one. I just fancied them both and as soon as I stepped over them had the confidence to whip it. I’m speechless to be honest with you. I’m so happy that I’ve scored them two goals and it’s a nice bit of history for the club tonight to beat Real Madrid.
“The manager just said, even though we’re 3-0 up, the individual quality they have and what they can produce is scary. And also the Bernabeu is the Bernabeu, on Champions League nights special things happen there for them. We’re ready to go there and give it everything, we have a 3-0 lead and aren’t going back there to sit back and defend. We’re gonna have the same game plan, attack and we want to be in the Champions League semi-final.”
