'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

The Gunners ripped through the reigning kings of Europe on Tuesday night, prevailing 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. Rice broke the deadlock with an incredible free-kick 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.

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.

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.

"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."

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.