Arteta insists Arsenal can win Champions League but lays down huge challenge

Arsenal star Declan Rice scored two stunning free kicks to help the Gunners on their way to a 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final first leg

Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal’s “magical” Champions League night – and then insisted they can go all the way. Declan Rice struck two stunning free kicks – the first he has ever scored direct from a free kick in his career – to set up an unforgettable night at the Emirates.

Gunners boss Arteta believes it will now give his players huge belief that they can compete the job in the Bernabeu and go on to lift the trophy. Arteta said: “When you’ve not played this team for 20 years then you have the chance to write your own history and it is nights like these where you can do that.

“They were magic moments. We have a lot more to give. It will give us even more belief. I did believe and you have to believe. The crowd was incredible, they gave us so much energy.

“He has never scored a free kick in his career, we have not scored a direct free kick since Burnley away in September 2021. What are the odds?

“It was two moments of individual quality and we have to show we can do that again next week. Real Madrid changed the competition, they are the best team in the history of the competition and it was so important for us to take the next step.”

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And Rice could scarcely believe what he had done at the Emirates. The England international saw his opportunity on Tuesday night and took it.

Rice said: “Originally we were going to cross the first one, but I saw the wall and the goalkeeper’s position. The second one I had the confidence and I hit it.

“It’s not going to hit me yet because there’s another leg to go. I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m over the moon. It’s the best feeling in the world. In a few years’ time it will hit me that what I’ve done tonight is really special.”

Arsenal’s win also guarantees the Premier League a FIFTH Champions League place next season but Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insists they can still overturn the defeat.

Ancelotti, who took full responsibility for the loss, said: “The possibility is low but we have to try 100 per cent and do all we can. It is our chance to show a response to a poor game.

“If you look at the game there is no possibility but in football everything can happen. We have to believe, we have to trust because in the Bernabeu it can happen.”

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