Declan Rice was on the scoresheet twice and both ocassions were from free-kick prowess.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has revealed why he opted to follow the advice of compatriot Bukayo Saka instead of captain Martin Ordegaard in the build up to him scoring a sumptuous free-kick against Real Madrid.
The England international was the hero as his two second half well-taken free-kicks and a Mikel Merino strike earned the Gunners a 3-0 comfortable win at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday in the Champions League quarter finals.
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The former West Ham United defensive midfielder who has been transitioned into a box-to-box midfielder under Mikel Arteta, produced 12-minute moments of magic midway through the second half.
Mohammed Bajaber has become a cult hero after his starring role for Harambee Stars in March and he has been told what he must do to remain in the plans of coach Benni McCarthy.
Rice, 26, found the top right corner with his first free-kick just outside the 18-yard-box in the 58th minute before grabbing his brace 12 minutes later to give Arsenal a deserved 2-0 cushion.
Former Newcastle man, Merino, completed the rout in the 75th minute as a star-studded Real Madrid side looked stunned. Rice was seen conversing with both Odegaard and Saka, with the discussion centered around how the free-kick was to be taken.
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Andy Cole, who travelled to Kenya over the weekend, has explained why he believes South African tactician Benni McCarthy will succeed as Harambee Stars coach.
Rice, the former Chelsea academy player, told the Daily Mail. “I don’t know if it will ever sink in. I fancied both (free-kicks) and to have the confidence, I am a bit speechless.‘It’s one of those moments, the best feeling in the world.”
On the first free-kick, he said: “Martin (Odegaard) was saying to cross, I said it doesn’t make sense and to chip it like that. We practice them all the time, (set-piece coach Nicolas) Jover is telling me to cross and it didn’t make sense. Bukayo (Saka) said, “If you feel it, go for it”. I looked at the wall and keeper and said I could bend it and that’s what happened.”
Rice had not previously scored from a direct free-kick in his career spanning nearly 350 appearances.
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The top five clubs in Kenyan Premier League history have helped shape the country’s football legacy through their historic achievements, passionate fanbases, and consistent contributions to the growth of the sport.
Arsenal are seeking to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2009 in their last realistic hope of silverware this season.
The tie is not yet over as the Gunners travel to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for the return leg on April 16. Arsenal have not won the Champions League title and it is the one trophy that will likely set the tone for further success should they go all the way to lift this season’s title.
