Not just Rice: 9/10 Arsenal star just proved he could start for Madrid
da bet7k： Well, we aren’t sure even the most die-hard Arsenal fans saw last night’s result coming.
da aviator aposta： The Gunners played host to European juggernauts Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, and to say it was the best performance of the Mikel Arteta reign wouldn’t be hyperbole.
They just about edged the first half and then utterly dominated the Spanish giants in the second to come away with a sensational 3-0 victory.
It was a stellar display to a man, although a couple of starters just about stood out, including Declan Rice and someone who proved he wouldn’t look out of place starring for Los Blancos.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Arsenal
Statistics
Real Madrid
3
Goals
0
1.51
Expected Goals
0.50
2
Big Chances
0
2
Big Chances Missed
0
12
Total Shots
9
11
Shots on Target
3
9
Shots in the Box
5
490
Passes
435
9
Free Kicks
8
All Stats via Sofascore
Rice's magical game vs Real Madrid in numbers
Arsenal fans like to sing that they got Rice for half price when they paid a club-record £105m fee for him in 2023, and while some may see it as a joke, last night suggested it is not.
The former West Ham United captain was incredible from the first whistle to when he came off, covering every blade of grass and still providing a consistent threat through well-timed runs.
He opened the scoring with a Roberto Carlos-esque free-kick – with him in the stands, mind – and then somehow scored an even better one 12 minutes later, placing it so perfectly in the far corner that Thibaut Courtois had no chance of saving it.
On top of winning the game for the North Londoners, the Englishman is now the first player to score two direct free-kicks in a UCL knockout game.
Unsurprisingly, such a sensational display impressed the press, with the Express’ Charlie Parker-Turner awarding him a 9/10 at full-time, which was more than backed up by his stats.
Rice’s game in numbers
Minutes
80′
Expected Goals
0.47
Goals
2
Expected Assists
0.08
Touches
43
Shots on Target
4
Dribbles (Completed)
1 (1)
Lost Possession
4
Clearances
1
Interceptions
1
All Stats via Sofascore
For example, in his 80 minutes of action, he scored two goals, produced a combined expected goal plus assists figure of 0.55, took 43 touches, took four shots on target, completed 100% of his dribbles, lost the ball just four times, made one clearance and one interception.
In all, it was the sort of showing that proves Rice more than belongs at the very top of the game, just like his teammate who also shone last night.
Arsenal's other stand-out player
As mentioned above, there were sublime displays across the pitch for Arsenal last night, but when it came down to it, the other starter who impacted the game as much as Rice was Bukayo Saka.
It was the Hale Ender’s first start since his hamstring injury in late December, and while he didn’t score, he was undoubtedly the best attacker on the pitch.
What made him so devastatingly effective in the first half was his ability to cut in and use his left foot or run to the byline and use his right – David Alaba just didn’t know what he was going to do.
Then, in the second half, he was the one who won the two free-kicks for Rice, as the Real players couldn’t do anything but foul him.
He ended up winning 100% of his duels on the night and did so well that former professional turned pundit Daniel Sturridge claimed that he “proved” he’d be good enough to star for Real Madrid.
He left quite an impression on others in the media as well, with Parker-Turner awarding him a 9/10, while content creator Joe Thomlinson simply described his showing as “utterly ridiculous.”
Ultimately, it might only be half-time in the tie, but Arsenal deserve all the plaudits they’re getting at the moment, and it was just another night in which Rice and Saka reminded the world that they are some of the very best in the business.
Related Their new Mesut Ozil: Arsenal preparing bid for "generational" £30m star
The incredible prospect could be something truly special at Arsenal.