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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0</li><li>Rice with pair of stunning free-kicks</li><li>Arteta opens up on conversations with midfielder</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'We haven't scored a free-kick since September 2021!' - Mikel Arteta marvels at Declan Rice's legendary brace in Arsenal's demolition of Real Madrid

Copa del Rey

Barcelona

Real Madrid

Champions League

Arsenal

Paris Saint-Germain

<p>The Gunners <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/arsenal-player-ratings-vs-real-madrid-declan-rice-mikel-merino-first-leg-champions-league-quarter-final/blt5f650abf693005a2" target="_blank">ripped through the reigning kings of Europe</a> on Tuesday night, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/real-madrid-player-ratings-vs-arsenal-vini-jr-kylian-mbappe/blt98891e93f5a848c5" target="_blank">prevailing 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium</a> in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. Rice broke the deadlock <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/kylian-mbappe-real-madrid-superstar-s-reaction-declan-rice-scores-champions-league-arsenal/bltbaeea161d09d5030" target="_blank">with an incredible free-kick</a> just before the hour mark, and then came up with another marvellous set piece goal 12 minutes later. Mikel Merino rounded off the scoring with a quarter of an hour remaining.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Though Arsenal have been renowned for their proficiency on set pieces this season, they hadn't scored from a direct free-kick in nearly four years before Rice beat Thibaut Courtois in the Madrid net. At his post-match press conference, Arteta claimed Rice had been chomping at the bit to become their primary free-kick taker.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Arteta said of Rice: "He's been really determined because we have talked in the last few months. We haven't scored a direct free kick since September 2021, Burnley away, Martin Odegaard.</p><p>"It's been a long time, so to score two goals in 12 minutes of that magnitude and quality from the same player - a player that has never scored a free kick before in his career - what are the odds? But he's done it tonight."</p>

WHAT ARTETA SAID

<p>Arsenal fans will inevitably have one eye on the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday. Before that, they must navigate a Premier League clash at home to Brentford this Saturday - Bees boss Thomas Frank was spotted on a scouting mission at the Emirates and was in attendance to see the Gunners' destruction of Madrid.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

'We haven't scored a free-kick since September 2021!' - Mikel Arteta marvels at Declan Rice's legendary brace in Arsenal's demolition of Real Madrid | Goal.com

Mikel Arteta admitted that Declan Rice had been dying to take a free-kick for Arsenal prior to his double against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

&apos;We haven&apos;t scored a free-kick since September 2021!&apos; - Mikel Arteta marvels at Declan Rice&apos;s legendary brace in Arsenal&apos;s demolition of Real Madrid

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