So, raise your hand if you were aware that Declan Rice could perform like that?
Indeed, we all recognized he had evolved into essentially the perfect midfielder over the past few years. He has been England's top defensive midfielder for quite a while now, but he has never been limited to just that role. He has consistently possessed much more as a midfielder than just mere destruction.
However, we didn't truly see him as a 'master at unleashing unstoppable free-kicks against one of the top goalkeepers globally' type of player.
Questions must be raised regarding why it took the so-called set-piece genius Nicolas Jover such an extended period to discover the Mr. Burns-like brilliant tactic of instructing Rice to deliver unstoppable free-kicks past one of the greatest goalkeepers globally.
Or maybe he’s actually more astute than we realized and had reserved this unique strategy for when Arsenal needed it most in their most crucial match of the season. In such a scenario, one can only appreciate the sheer audacity of it and tip one's hat to everyone participating.
You can determine for yourself how this thrilling 3-0 victory compares to the finest moments in English football's history in this tournament. Dullsters and lower-ranking members of the Celebration Police are likely preparing to spoil Arsenal’s moment by reminding everyone that nothing has been secured yet, a second leg remains, and so forth.
However, following a promising first half from an injury-depleted Arsenal team, which was succeeded by perhaps the most remarkable 45 minutes of Mikel Arteta’s tenure, this hardly seems like a time for serious contemplation. This is a night for ecstatic overreaction and fully assuring yourself that Arsenal will not only win the Champions League.
but it's likely that Liverpool won't earn even one additional point in the Premier League as well.
Clearly, accurately, and inevitably, Rice will grab all the attention for such an undeniably ridiculous pair of free-kicks. To achieve one of those during a crucial moment in your career is the kind of event that becomes legendary. To achieve it twice within 12 dizzy and ridiculous minutes, having never previously scored a direct free-kick, is pure nonsense and fantasy. These are occurrences that simply do not take place.
However, this was worlds away from being a solo performance. And those free-kicks weren't the only skill of that one individual. Prior to his goal, Rice was enjoying an exceptionally remarkable evening, one that only Bukayo Saka might have been surpassing with joy after being reinstated to the Arsenal starting lineup and demonstrating to everyone what they’ve been missing.
This wasn't exactly a Bale-Maicon destruction, but David Alaba will certainly be dreading facing Saka again next week after being twisted and left bewildered during the Arsenal star's brilliant 74-minute display.
It now appears rather ungracious to lament Arsenal’s absence of a striker considering what we've just observed, but it’s difficult to think that anyone with a genuine goal-scorer's instinct wouldn’t have reached at least one of the crosses after crosses Saka sent blazing across the Madrid six-yard box, causing sheer panic among everyone in grey.
While it may not be the most significant detail of the opening goal, it's important to mention that it resulted from Alaba fouling Saka in what resembled a moment of desperation. Even Saka's foul-drawing effort seemed like he was anticipating the perfect moment to attract that foul, providing Rice the best opportunity to showcase his secret weapon.
However, this was not simply a two-person performance either. Arsenal had champions spread throughout the field. David Raya handled all his responsibilities with a composed confidence. The only fitting commendation for Jakub Kiwior’s display at centre-back against the strength of Real Madrid’s powerful offense was to remark that Gabriel Magalhaes was genuinely not missed.
Myles Lewis-Skelly maintained his incredible ascent with a display of extraordinary confidence in both offensive and defensive roles, while Gabriel Martinelli showcased one of his finest performances in recent memory, ensuring that despite the natural inclination to attack down Saka’s side, Arsenal avoided becoming completely predictable.
Then there's Mikel Merino, the improvised centre-forward who continually finds the net. And on any other evening, his attempt would have been remarkable, a wickedly challenging finish from a pass that compelled him to merely change his stride and move away from the goal. The television replay from behind the goal was particularly impressive, revealing that Merino hit his shot as beautifully as Rice’s free kicks.
If there has been a better awful goal in a 3-0 victory previously, we would love to witness it.
Although Arsenal's heroes will earn and merit abundant acclaim on a night that solidified the Premier League’s fifth position for next season’s tournament, there are always two perspectives to consider. Real Madrid were tooting. Certainly, some of that can be attributed to how impressive Arsenal was – particularly in the second half when even the rare defensive gaps that emerged in the first half were addressed – but you have every right to expect more from this club at this level. God knows they have a history.
However, there was simply no organization or clear strategy to this Madrid display. This resembled a scene from the bleakest times of the Galactico era; ignore strategies, allow the stars to handle it.
When Real Madrid performs well, their eagerness to play long, fast, and directly to their energetic attacking four appears remarkable. On evenings like this, it appears flat, anxious, and expected.
Following a few initial alarms, Arsenal adapted to the night’s tempo and managed to contain Madrid with relative ease.
Naturally, the second leg could appear quite different. This wouldn’t be the first instance where a lead like this was reversed in a second leg, and Real Madrid still possesses the capability to achieve it.
However, they will require something drastically distinct from both themselves and Arsenal to have a chance of turning this around.
They would be wise to avoid giving away any free-kicks within 30 yards of their goal as well.
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