Arteta Commends Declan Rice's Stellar Display After Real Madrid Clash
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Synopsis
On April 18, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta praised Declan Rice for his performance in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Real Madrid. Rice's outstanding play led to a 5-1 aggregate victory, securing a semi-final spot against PSG. Arteta emphasized Rice's growth and importance to the team's success.
Key Takeaways
- Declan Rice had a standout performance against Real Madrid.
- He became the first player to score two direct free-kick goals in a UCL knockout match.
- Arsenal won the quarter-final tie with an aggregate score of 5-1.
- Arteta highlighted the importance of consistency in Rice's performances.
- Arsenal must refocus on the Premier League after recent draws.
London, April 18 (NationPress) Arsenal's head coach Mikel Arteta praised Declan Rice for his outstanding performance throughout the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Real Madrid.
Following his Player of the Match accolade in the first leg, where he became the first player to net two goals from direct free-kicks in a single UCL knockout match, Rice orchestrated the midfield at Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg, leading Arsenal to a 2-1 victory and securing a 5-1 aggregate win, which set up their semi-final encounter against PSG.
For his efforts, Rice was again awarded the Player of the Match trophy after playing 89 minutes, covering nearly 12km, and achieving a remarkable passing accuracy of 97 percent.
Arsenal acquired Rice during the 2023-24 season for a record fee of 105 million pounds from West Ham United, and Arteta endorsed the club’s investment in their record signing.
"He's continually evolving. His performances, like in the second leg against Real Madrid, elevate him to a new level. That’s the reason we brought him here. We expect consistency and confidence from him. His role will keep expanding," Arteta stated in a pre-match press conference.
While Arsenal has secured a semi-final spot against PSG in the UCL, they must refocus on the Premier League after drawing their last two matches against Everton and Brentford. Newcastle has closed the gap to just four points behind the Gunners, who currently occupy second place, necessitating a strong finish in the league to ensure a place in next year’s UCL by finishing in the top five.
"Our focus is to win in the Premier League. We were in a better position earlier, but the recent draws have altered that significantly. Credit to Newcastle for their current form. We must improve and start winning our [Premier League] matches," Arteta emphasized.
Arsenal will compete against Ipswich Town this Sunday, and a defeat could potentially allow Liverpool to clinch the league title if they secure three points against Leicester City.
"We need to ensure we win against Ipswich and prevent Liverpool from winning the title this weekend," Arteta concluded.
