Gunners rice to the challenge

Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal defied the odds with its stunning 3-0 win against Real Madrid, as Declan Rice's free-kick magic left the Champions League holder in disarray.

Rice inspired one of the greatest results in Arsenal's storied history with two blistering freekicks in the second half of the quarterfinal first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Mikel Merino scored the third goal for Arteta's side, as it moved within touching distance of a first Champions League semifinal appearance since 2009.

It was an incredible moment for England midfielder Rice, who had never scored from a freekick in his career — a period spanning 338 previous matches — before the first of his thunderbolts flashed past Real keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Arsenal had also failed to find the net from a direct set-piece in almost four years, with its last coming via Martin Odegaard against Burnley in September 2021.

Gunners captain Odegaard put his hands on his head in disbelief when Rice completed his set-piece double, while Arteta was equally surprised.

"Declan's been very determined, because we have said in the last few months that we have not scored from a direct freekick in three-and-a-half years," the Arsenal manager said.

"So, to score two in 12 minutes, of that magnitude and of that quality from the same player, a player that has never scored from a freekick before in his career, what are the odds?

"If there's a player who can do it, how clean he strikes it, it's Declan. But, to execute it at the highest level, and against one of the best keepers in the world as well — it's amazing."

It was a cathartic result for Arsenal, which has endured a rocky season marred by its failure to keep pace with Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

The north Londoners are 11 points adrift of the league leader, leaving the Champions League as their last chance this season to win a first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup.

Few would have expected them to get past 15-time European champion Real before the first leg.

But now, Arsenal will travel to the Bernabeu for the return tie next week as firm favorite to progress to a last-four clash against Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa.