Declan Rice couldn’t hold back his admiration for Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s statement victory over European giants Real Madrid.
Arsenal booked their spot in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday night, completing a dominant 5-1 aggregate triumph. After the match, Man of the Match Declan Rice heaped praise on his manager.
“We have full trust in our coach, Mikel Arteta. He’s unbelievable,” Rice said during his post-match interview.
Arsenal’s goals came courtesy of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, while Vinícius Júniormanaged a consolation strike for Los Blancos. But the damage had already been done in the first leg, where the Gunners stunned Madrid with a 3-0 masterclass at the Emirates.
Rice, who has been a standout throughout the knockout stages, was once again pivotal in midfield, showcasing the kind of leadership and poise that justified his big-money move last summer.
The victory marks a major milestone for Arteta’s Arsenal, who are now set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals later this month.
The dream is alive in North London — and with Arteta at the helm, belief is growing by the match.
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