Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shed light on how Declan Rice managed to score his free-kick brace against Real Madrid.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed how midfielder Declan Rice honed his free-kick skills to play a starring role in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Real Madrid.
The dominant win, in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash on Tuesday, saw Rice net a stunning brace from set-pieces, while Mikel Merino added a third to give the Gunners a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg.
Before the match, Rice had never scored directly from a free-kick in his career. But at the Emirates, he stunned the 15-time European champions with two expertly-taken efforts.
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Mikel Arteta on Declan Rice’s Free-kick Brace Against Real Madrid
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Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice scored a free-kick brace against Real Madrid. (Credit: Imago)
“He’s been putting in the work lately—he identified set-pieces as an opportunity to help the team win more games,” Arteta told Sky Sports.
“He has an incredible ability to strike the ball from different angles and with varying pace. We have to take advantage of that because it’s a huge goal threat.”
Arteta credited Rice’s dedication to practice and improvement, highlighting how vital his technical refinement has become to Arsenal’s attacking arsenal.
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The Gunners have been particularly lethal from set-pieces, a strength bolstered under the guidance of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
The Road Ahead for Declan Rice And Arsenal
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Declan Rice and Arsenal players celebrate after scoring two free-kicks against Real Madrid. (Credit: IMAGO)
While Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes remain uncertain as they trail current leaders Liverpool, their Champions League dream is still alive.
Mikel Arteta’s side now prepares for a high-stakes return leg against Real Madrid on April 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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