Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid LIVE REACTION: Rice scores TWO sensational free-kicks and Merino sweeps home as Gunners batter Los Blancos
Arsenal produced one of their greatest Champions League performances to batter Real Madrid 3-0.
The Gunners now head to the Bernabeu for the second leg of their quarter-final clash with a three-goal lead.
They were all excellent, but Declan Rice was the hero as he scored two free-kicks to put the hosts in control.
Both of them were absolutely incredible as Rice bent the first around the wall before picking out the top corner with the second.
Mikel Merino then scored a brilliant goal of his own, sweeping home from a Myles Lewis-Skelly pass.
After that, Kylian Mbappe and co were done, and they have a mountain to climb now.
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Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid - REACTION
Well, that is it from us tonight on a special night for Arsenal.
This is one of those evenings that people will look back on in 20 years and talk about because no one thought Arsenal would beat Real Madrid 3-0.
What made it even better was the two Declan Rice free-kicks - his first-ever free-kick goals.
Mikel Merino then added a third, and they are now in total control of this tie.
But if there is any team who you can't write off, it is Real Madrid.
It is all set up for a fascinating second leg.
We hope you enjoyed the coverage, and we'll see you all again soon.
'Beautiful'
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was delighted with his team's 3-0 win over Real Madrid.
This was arguably the Spaniard's greatest night at the Emirates and one that will live long in the memory.
Declan Rice scored two ridiculous free-kicks, and Mikel Merino added a delightful third as the Gunners smashed the Spanish giants.
And speaking after the game, he said: "Beautiful.
"We have the opportunity to make a lot of people happy and proud, and we certainly did that.
"I have never seen the stadium like this, and we needed that and the individual quality."
Bukayo Saka was sublime on his first start since December but did limp off.
However, there is nothing to worry about.
Arteta said: "He elevates the level of the team. He has that fear factor that makes them back off because he's incredible.
"He's fine. It was kick before the free-kick."
'It didn't make sense'
Declan Rice has revealed that he ignored Nicolas Jover's advice before scoring his first free-kick this evening.
The Frenchman has established a reputation for his set-piece routines, but Rice has now publicly acknowledged he went for something different.
Good job he did too, as he scored the free-kick that set Arsenal on their way.
Speaking to Amazon about the first free-kick, Rice said: "They were saying to cross it.
"But then I saw the wall and the keeper and I thought, 'I am going to take this.
"Then it went in, and I was just so happy. It didn't make sense to cross from that angle.
"He [Jover] was telling me to cross, and it didn't make sense, and I am so happy I took it because it was a magic moment.
"He was telling me to cross, and I just thought I could bend it around the wall."
Bayern Munich 1-2 Inter Milan
In Bavaria, Harry Kane and co were dealt a huge blow as Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich 2-1.
Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in the first half, and that looked to be enough for Inter after Kane had hit the post.
But Thomas Muller popped up with a late equaliser.
However, Bayern couldn't hold on as Davide Frattesi scored just three minutes later.
Heroes
The Arsenal goalscorers Declan Rice and Mikel Merino have been speaking to Amazon about their incredible win over Real Madrid.
Rice scored two ridiculous free-kicks that will live long in the memory, while Merino added his own with an excellent finish.
When asked about the game, Rice said:"The message from the manager was that we needed to be super convinced, we could win this game, and as a group of players, we were really convinced.
"In the second half, we knew we had to score, so to score three was a real positive."
On his free-kicks, he said: "It's been in the locker, but I've hit the wall or it's gone over the bar.
"We were going to cross it, and then I saw the wall and thought to just go for it, and for the second one, I just had the confidence, but it's not going to hit me yet because there is another leg to go.
"In a few years, this will hit me as being really special."
Meanwhile, Merino said: "We were talking about keeping the pace and the tempo and keeping the crowd on our side.
"The second half was amazing."
Credit: Getty Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid - FULL TIME
THERE GOES THE FINAL WHISTLE, AND ARSENAL HAVE DESTROYED REAL MADRID.
Fair play to Mikel Arteta and his players for delivering on the biggests stage.
They now head to the Bernabeu for the second leg next Wednesday in total control.
Declan Rice was the hero as he scored his first-ever free-kicks of his professional career to give the Gunners a 2-0 lead in sensational fashion.
Mikel Merino then swept home a delightful third.
Real Madrid actually ended the game with ten men as Eduarado Camavinga was sent off for two bookable offences.
Arsenal's hopes of winning the Champions League are well and truly alive!
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid
90+' - Four minutes of added time indicated.
The Gunners are nearly there, so close to full time.
Though, to be honest, their fans probably don't want it to end.
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid
87' - This is almost certainly Mikel Arteta's greatest evening at the Emirates.
To totally demolish Real Madrid 3-0 in a Champions League quarter-final is something else.
The Gunners have delivered an evening their fans will cherish forever, while the unbeaten run against Real Madrid goes on.
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid
80' - Declan Rice leaves the pitch to the biggest standing ovation of his career as Kieran Tierney takes his place.
Those two free-kicks will be shown over and over again and for good reason.
They were simply incredible from the Englishman.
He joins an exclusive list of players to score two free-kicks in a Champions League game, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid - Mikel Merino
WHAT IS GOING ON!
The Champions League ultimate masters are being blown away!
Myles Lewis-Skelly does well on the left and picks out Merino on the edge of the box.
He doesn't take a touch, he just connects with a delightful left-footed strike.
It whistles into the bottom corner, and the Gunners are in total control of this tie.
Credit: Getty Arsenal 2-0 Real Madrid
73' - Bukayo Saka's evening is over.
The winger was sensational and leaves to a standing ovation from the Arsenal crowd.
Leandro Trossard replaces him while Real Madrid have taken Luka Modric off for Lucas Vazquez.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Real Madrid - Declan Rice
IS THAT BETTER?!
DECLAN RICE HAS PUT ARSENAL INTO DREAMLAND!
The Gunners are awarded another free-kick from around the same distance.
Rice goes for the goalkeeper's side, and he picks out the top corner in stunning fashion.
That is just ridiculous!
Credit: Getty Arsenal 1-0 Real Madrid - Chances
66' - Oh, so close to 2-0!
Myles Lewis-Skelly finds Gabriel Martinelli, and he drives in a shot that Thibaut Courtois saves.
He only pushes it as far as Mikel Merino, who beats Courtois, but he can't get it past David Alaba on the line.
Merino gets the rebound again, and drives in a shot that the Belgian tips over the bar.
Real Madrid are rocking!
Arsenal 1-0 Real Madrid
64' - No real response from Real Madrid to falling behind just yet.
Of course, Carlo Ancelotti is extremely experienced, and there will be no panic from the visitors, but they have to be better.
Arsenal have had spells where they've been poor, but overall, you can't say they don't deserve to be winning this.
Arsenal 1-0 Real Madrid
Look at that!
Honestly, that is one of the best free-kicks you are likely to see.
It doesn't go in the top corner, but it is the fact Declan Rice has bent it around the wall and then got the curl for it to come back and nestle in the back of the net.
Unreal.
Credit: Getty
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Real Madrid - Declan Rice
WOW! THAT IS EMPHATIC!
DECLAN RICE TAKES THE NET OFF!
The Arsenal midfielder steps up and curls a sublime free-kick around the wall.
It looks to be going wide, but at the last moment, it bends into the back of the net.
It was going to take something special to beat Thibaut Courtois tonight, and that was sensational.
Credit: Getty Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid
56' - Bukayo Saka drifts in from the right and holds off David Alaba, who eventually brings the forward down.
This gives the Gunners a free-kick around 25 yards from goal.
Saka, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice are over it...
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid
53' - Thomas Partey goes into the book after the referee stops the game due to a head injury.
Eduardo Camavinga goes down holding his face and needs some treatment.
Arsenal come away with the ball, but the match is stopped.
Partey obviously says something out of line because he gets a yellow card.
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid
51' - David Alaba picks out Jude Bellingham on the edge of the box, who turns a lovely pass into Kylian Mbappe.
The Frenchman takes a touch, and from a narrow angle, blasts the ball into the side netting.
He should probably be doing better there, really.
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid
50' - Relatively quiet start to the second half.
The visitors are trying to take the sting out of the game by keeping possession for a bit.
Arsenal still look dangerous through Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, but they can't get them the ball.
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid - Kick-off
We are back underway for the second half.
No changes for either team, and the message from Arsenal needs to be the same.
The Gunners ended the first half very strongly.
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid - HALF TIME
That is the end of the first 45 minutes, and it's goalless.
Arsenal will feel they should be in the lead, but Thibaut Courtois has made a couple of important saves.
Meanwhile, down the other end, Kylian Mbappe will wonder how he hasn't scored at least one.
The striker has missed two one-on-ones for Real Madrid, leaving this match in the balance.
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid - Chances
45' - Big double save from Thibaut Courtois!
It's good play down the right from Arsenal that ends with a cross into the box.
Declan Rice is free ten yards out, and arrows a header towards the bottom corner.
Courtois springs to his right and pushes it out as far as Gabriel Martinelli, but the goalkeeper stands up tall to block that effort as well.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 0-1 Inter Milan - Lautaro Martinez
After Harry Kane's miss, Inter Milan are in the lead!
Lautaro Martinez has given the Italian giants the lead in Bavaria.
That is seven goals in the Champions League this season, moving him level with Adriano for most goals in a campaign for Inter.
If he scores again, he'll move level with Samuel Eto'o.
Credit: Getty Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid - Chance
36' - Why is no one there?
Declan Rice switches a pass out to Martin Odegaard.
The Norwegian finds Bukayo Saka, and he is one-on-one against Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham doesn't let Saka come inside, so he bursts past him on the right and delivers a wonderful cross that is begging to be put away.
But for some reason, there is no one in an Arsenal shirt there to tap it in.
