Arsenal delivered a masterclass at the Emirates, thrashing Real Madrid 3-0 in a Champions League quarter-final first-leg spectacle. Mikel Arteta hailed the performance as « complete, » and the scoreline justified his praise.
Declan Rice stole the show with two sensational second-half free kicks—his first ever direct free-kick goals—leaving Thibaut Courtois helpless. The England midfielder’s dead-ball brilliance (58’, 70’) capped a dominant display before Mikel Merino added a third (75’). Madrid’s misery deepened when Eduardo Camavinga saw red late on.
Arteta’s call for a raucous home atmosphere was answered, with Arsenal outplaying the 14-time European champions from start to finish. The Gunners, last semifinalists in 2009, now hold a commanding advantage ahead of next week’s Bernabéu clash.
