Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid – PLAYER RATINGS: Who was terrific all night for Mikel Arteta? Which Gunners star didn’t have the best of games? And who rated just 4/10 for the visitors?

Arsenal produced a stunning display to secure a 3-0 lead over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta‘s side blew away the record 15-time European champions in the second half, with Declan Rice scoring two stunning free kicks.

The England international bent a superb free kick around the Real Madrid wall to give the Gunners the lead in the 58th minute.

Rice produced an even better strike in the 70th minute, curling another dead ball into the top corner of Thibaut Courtois’ net.

An effort from Mikel Merino gave Arsenal a three goal cushion to take to the Santiago Bernabeu next week as they bid to reach the semi-finals.

Mail Sport’s AADAM PATEL rates the players on a stunning night for Arsenal at the Emirates.

The Arsenal midfielder curled in two stunning efforts to give Arsenal a first leg advantage

Mikel Arteta’s side will take a three goal lead to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg

ARSENAL (4-3-3)

David Raya (7.5)

Brilliant save to deny Mbappe from close-range in the first half and was solid throughout. A priceless clean sheet.

Jurrien Timber (7.5)

Took a blow in the first-half but battled well and was one of Arsenal’s standout performers. Did so well against Vinicius Jr.

William Saliba (7)

Says so much about his quality that he looked comfortable dealing with the Madrid attack. More touches in the first half than anyone else.

Jakub Kiwior (6.5)

In the side after Gabriel’s injury and apart from one poor pass, where Arsenal nearly got punished, did a solid job.

William Saliba showed his quality as he looked comfortable dealing with Real Madrid’s attack

Myles Lewis-Skelly won his individual battle and claimed an assist in an impressive display

Myles Lewis-Skelly (7.5)

So impressive all night. Came out on top in the battle with Rodrygo and often went into central midfield when Arsenal had possession. Got an assist too.

Martin Odegaard (6.5)

Facing his former side for the first time and was constantly involved. His link-up with Saka caused Madrid problems.

Thomas Partey (7.5)

Had a big chance in the first half but hit it straight at Courtois. Was excellent in midfield and a big reason why Arsenal controlled the tempo.

Declan Rice (9.5)

A typically energetic display and two of the finest free-kicks you will ever see. In fairness, that was the only way Arsenal were beating Courtois.

Bukayo Saka (8)

Terrific all night. So unlucky not to get an assist in the first-half but won both free-kicks, which Rice converted emphatically.

Mikel Merino (7.5)

Continued his experiment at number nine and finished like a true striker for Arsenal’s third.

Rice produced two of the finest free kicks you will ever see in the second half at the Emirates

Bukayo Saka was terrific all night and won both of the free kicks leading to Rice’s goals

Mikel Merino continued as Arsenal’s number nine and finished like a striker for their third goal 

Gabriel Martinelli (6)

Denied by Courtois just before the break and didn’t have the greatest of games but his teammates delivered.

Substitutes

Leandro Trossard (6)

Kieran Tierney (N/A)

Ben White (N/A)

Manager

Mikel Arteta (9)

Said it was the biggest match of his managerial career and his team were simply magnificent.

Real Madrid (4-4-2):

Thibaut Courtois (6.5)

Kept Arsenal out with a number of fine saves but could do nothing to stop any of Arsenal’s three goals

Federico Valverde (5.5)

Did well in his battle with Martinelli but this was a night where Madrid’s defence simply had no answer for Arsenal.

Raul Asencio (5.5)

Put in a decent shift alongside Rudiger but Arsenal were too hot to handle.

Antonio Rudiger (5.5)

Like Asencio, didn’t do much wrong but Arsenal’s pressure was too much in the end.

David Alaba (4)

Had the unenviable task of trying to deal with Saka and he struggled, with the Arsenal man getting the better of him on numerous occasions.

David Alaba had the unenviable task of trying to deal with Saka and he struggled with it

Real Madrid captain Luka Modric failed to have any real say on the game and was substituted

Rodrygo (5.5)

Got on the ball plenty of times but struggled to get the better of Myles Lewis-Skelly. Didn’t really threaten in the final third.

Luka Modric (4.5)

Failed to have any real say on the game and was booed every time he touched the ball. Replaced in the 71st minute.

Eduardo Camavinga (5)

Battled well but initially got away with some rough challenges before he was sent off late on for a second booking.

Jude Bellingham (6.5)

Played a lovely ball to Mbappe in the first half but apart from that, didn’t really have much chance to influence the game.

Kylian Mbappe (6.5)

Threatened all evening but missed a huge chance on the half hour mark. Barely had a sniff of goal in the second half.

Vinicius Jr (6)

Like Mbappe, posed problems in the first half but spent much of the second half defending as Arsenal dominated.

Jude Bellingham did not have much of a chance to influence the quarter-final first leg

Vinicius Jr posed problems for Arsenal in the first half but spent most of the second defending

Substitutes

Lucas Vasquez (6)

Fran Garcia (N/A)

Brahim Diaz (N/A)

Manager

Carlo Ancelotti (4.5)

His side were outworked and outclassed. It’s not something you say often about Real Madrid.

Referee

Irfan Peljto (BIH) – 5.5