Arsenal

Image source, Getty Images

Following Arsenal's 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, we asked for your views on the game.

Here are some of your comments:

Sam: Bend it like Declan! Sensational performance! There was many doubts about this game yet every player on that pitch showed that they want this Champions League. It shows the influence of Mikel Arteta, taking Arsenal from a mid-table side to beating Real Madrid 3-0 in a Champions League quarter-final within five years. Hopefully they can do the same at the Bernabeu.

Josh: Just brilliant. A superb game for Declan Rice - he deserves it. A tactical masterclass as well. Imagine where we would be with a striker? Come on the Arsenal.

Alexandra: An outstanding performance from the players and the crowd in the stadium. This is what I hoped for, but couldn't quite dare. Have to bring it all again next week- the job is only half done. But I'm going to enjoy this magnificent moment.

Kevin: Arsenal have always found ways of beating big teams. Real Madrid underestimated the Gunners. Talk about man for man. Arsenal dominated Real Madrid, who played like school boys. But, that was because Arsenal were the underdogs. And, they will win the Champions League.

Will: Fabulous performance and I'm still sitting on my sofa in disbelief. Let's get the second leg completed and as long as we have no more injuries (plus Riccardo Calafiori should be back by the semi-final), then we have every chance of going to the final.

Bruno: One of those nights that will stay in the memory for a long time. A defining moment of just how much the club have changed under Mikel - we compete in every game and are capable of results like this.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live'sFootball Daily podcast about Mikel Merino's goal against Real Madrid:

"There has been a lot of criticism for Arsenal without a number nine but wow - what a finish from Merino. On the swivel it was not easy - the ball was travelling at some speed and had a little kick up off the turf.

"It's just bounced a tiny bit towards him and he's leaning back a bit as well. To control it and guide it into the far post was just a brilliant finish.

"Technically it was as good as the free-kick moments but the free-kicks were just the star of the show. For Declan Rice to step up and bang two in like that was incredible.

"Arsenal should take so much confidence and belief in how strong this team is as a unit. The attitude and work-rate had a real intensity about it. Tactically, it was great. The players played well individually, but it just had a feel of a team with real confidence.

"This game produced some real top-class moments that the fans will remember for a long time."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

There is only one story dominating Wednesday's back pages - Declan Rice's stunning free-kick double to set Arsenal on their way to a 3-0 Champions League quarter-final win over Real Madrid.

The Mirror goes for the headline 'Rice, Rice Baby' in reference to the song that rang around Emirates Stadium after full-time, while The Star has 'Rice Crispies' with a sub-headline calling Rice a 'serial killer' from free-kicks.

The Telegraph draws comparisons to legendary free-kick taker David Beckham with the headline 'Bend it like Declan' while The Mail carries pictures of the celebration to each goal - including Mikel Merino reacting to his fine third.

Arsenal are willing to pay 150m euros (£128m) for Inter Milan and Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez, 27. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external)

Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 26, favours a move to Juventus or a Premier League club once his loan spell at Galatasaray ends. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all interested in the forward, who is available for 65m euros (£55.7m). (ESPN, external)

Finally, the Gunners are preparing an offer worth 30m euros (£25.6m) for Real Madrid and Turkey midfielder Arda Guler, 20, who is not happy with his limited game time. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta said his Arsenal side took their performance to "another level" as they beat Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Arteta was asked by BBC Sport what he made of Myles Lewis-Skelly's performance, with the youngster becoming just the second English player to start a Champions League quarter-final aged 18 or younger. The first was Jude Bellingham.

However, the Arsenal boss did not want to pick out individuals and was quick to praise the performance of his whole team.

"I mean, collectively, when we played the way we played and have the performance that we had you need individuals at the highest level." Arteta said.

"I think they all took their performance to another level, their individual performance to the standards that are required to beat this incredible team.

He added: "[I am] very happy and now it is about consistency."

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio London reporter Harry Symeou, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's been an incredible night. I don't even know how to put it into words.

"I came here tonight hoping that Arsenal would take something to Madrid, but I was quite content taking a 0-0 draw if I'm honest.

"The Gunners ended the first half really strongly and just grew into the game. The second half comes along and they were completely on top.

"The atmosphere in here was incredible. I have been coming here since the day the stadium opened and I don't think I have experienced anything quite like it.

"For a few weeks now it has all been about this Real Madrid tie.

"The Premier League is long gone, although not mathematically, as supporters we felt that for a long time we did not have enough in the tank to catch Liverpool.

"When this draw came out you are thinking that we could go on a real ride in the Champions League and turn what was a disappointing season into a magical one.

"Here the European champions come and you blow them away. You can't ask for any more as an Arsenal fan tonight. Incredible."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to Amazon Prime: "Beautiful. So happy, so proud of the team. We have the opportunity to make a lot of people proud and we certainly have done that.

"I've never seen the stadium like this. Before the game they were already singing and already playing the game. For big European nights you need the big stadiums that create atmosphere and you need individual magic moments and there you go.

"That's the beauty of whoever invented this sport. We hadn't scored a free-kick since September 2021, and tonight, against Real Madrid at home in the Champions League, we scored two in 13 minutes."

On Arsenal's set-piece coach celebrating Declan Rice's goal: "He can claim it if he wants, it doesn't matter. It's incredible.

"If there's a player who can do it, how clean he strikes it, it's Declan. But you have to execute it at the highest level, and against one of the best keeper's in the world as well. It's amazing."

On Bukayo Saka's performance: "He was key. Again, he elevates the level of the team. There's a fear factor every time he's on the ball. Teams step off him and that creates space.

"He's fine [after being substituted], I think it was a kick.

On the return-leg in Madrid: "OK, we need to go there. We know we will have to step up again and we will try to win it.

"It's another step in the right direction as a team. We have to make another one and replicate what we've done tonight."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal goalscorer Declan Rice, speaking to Amazon Prime: "I don't know whether it will ever sink in. I've gone back to my phone then and it's gone crazy.

"To score my first free-kick in a game is a special one. And then when I got the second one, I just had the confidence. I'm speechless really.

"To beat Real Madrid in this competition. It's a big night for us.

"The manager just said that then. Even if we're 3-0 up, the individual quality they have is scary. At the Bernabeu special things happen for them. We want to be in the Champions League semi-finals."

On whether David Beckham has texted him: "I'm not lucky enough to have his number. I'm just so happy."

On his first free-kick: "We were saying to cross it. When they were over a little bit we saw the space, Bukayo [Saka] said 'if you feel it, go for it'. I thought 'I'm going to take this'.

"When you score a goal it's the best feeling in the world. It didn't make sense from that angle to cross the ball. It would have to be a delicate pass and when I saw the wall, it didn't make sense to cross. You know what, I'm happy I took it because it was magic."

On watching Arsenal's set-piece coach celebrate: "He's claiming for it but he's told me to cross it!"

On his second free-kick: "It looks far out, you don't even realise. Do you know what, we were going to touch and set it, me and Martin [Odegaard], but [Kylian] Mbappe was kind of stuck too close. But, then I thought 'I've got the keeper's side, I practice this so much', I was going to go for it. I had the confidence from the first one, if it went over the bar it wouldn't matter.

"I don't think it's going to hit me what I've done tonight. It's a historical night, and to score two goals against Real Madrid.

"We want to win this competition, but we have to take it one game at a time.

"Even at West Ham and ever since I've been here everyone's been telling me to shoot more. It's these little things and you've got to be in that mindset to score goals. I do have the ability to do it, but it's a confidence thing.

"I don't think I'll sleep tonight. I'm delighted."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's Declan Rice became the first player in Champions League history to score two direct free-kick goals in a knockout stage match, while it was just the fifth time overall a player had scored more than one in the same game (also Cristiano Ronaldo, Hakim Ziyech, Neymar and Rivaldo).

Rice also became just the fourth Gunners player to score from a direct free-kick in the Champions League (after Alberto Mendez, Thierry Henry and Bukayo Saka), while it was the first scored in a knockout stage game for the club in the competition.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies

Arsenal are involved in Champions League quarter-final action on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Arsenal v Real Madrid

• Bayern Munich v Inter Milan

Both games kick off at 20:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

BBC Sport has looked into the stats of the Champions League quarter-finalists and where they rank among the eight teams remaining.

Only Barcelona have scored more goals per game and been more clinical in front of goal than Arsenal.

The Gunners have not been the most dominant in attack though, with only Aston Villa and Inter Milan creating fewer shots and xG [expected goals] per game.

Arsenal have one of the meanest defences in the competition - while Inter have conceded fewer goals per game, the Gunners have the best defence in terms of xG conceded.

Despite their star-studded cast, Real Madrid's attack has been good so far, but not great.

Remarkably, the holders have the worst defence out of the teams left in the competition - giving up the most goals, shots and xG per game.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast about Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid: "It's a real test. It's where you want to be, you want to see if you can handle yourself. It was a strong team against Everton but you can tell the focus is on tonight's team.

"Arsenal missed Bukayo Saka when he was out - as soon as he came back he had an impact. He has to start to have an influence on the team but he is fresh and looks ready to go.

"Gabriel will be missed. He is one of our best players, him being out is a big blow.

"The attacking play of Real Madrid is so powerful, we know we have to be at our best, but a win tonight is not beyond this team. When they all play at their best, they are very effective."

A special episode of The Football News Show has taken a close look at the Champions League, with Arsenal set to take on Real Madrid in an eye-catching tie.

Take in what fan Alex Moneypenny had to say below and watch the show in full here.

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Saturday's 1-1 draw at Everton felt less like a Premier League fixture with meaning, and more like a prelude to Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.

Arsenal, perhaps still reeling from the loss of Gabriel, looked like a side on damage limitation. With the exception of Leandro Trossard's pinpoint finish in the 35th minute, the Gunners produced the type of performance fans have grown familiar with all season - all bark and no bite.

To state the obvious, they will need to be better on Tuesday. A match-up drenched in European glamour, this is the first time in many years that Arsenal will face true European royalty in the 15-times winners of Europe's biggest club prize.

There is reason for cautious optimism. Real Madrid, for all of their European heritage, have lost twice in their past five games, notably conceding four goals against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey.

It is a fascinating match-up where both teams' problem areas will face off. In the red corner, Arsenal, who have failed to carve out clear chances all season. And in the white corner, Los Blancos, who have conceded nine goals across two heavy defeats against their title rivals Barcelona this season. Both teams have flaws.

For global football fans, Real Madrid have always been home to superstars. This particular edition is no different, with Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe all likely to cause Arsenal problems. But Arsenal have their own superstar in Bukayo Saka, whose return from injury represents a major opportunity to unlock Real Madrid's defence.

In addition, with Ben White potentially returning from injury, the combination of Martin Odegaard, Saka and White on the right-hand side presents the perfect option to get behind Real Madrid's backline.

This season, slowly edging towards disappointment, could still have a twist left in it.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal fan Rakeem Noble spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live before Tuesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid: "These are two teams who are historically very good but aren't doing as well as they could do currently.

"The Champions League could be the saving grace for both teams for the rest of the season.

"We're going to have to rely on a bit of Emirates magic, because it is going to be hard, no doubt. With the form of both teams, there is nothing to say that Arsenal can't get the job done.

"To keep the Real Madrid frontline quiet is an extremely challenging task, but one thing I've noticed about them is their attack is a lot better than their defence. We shouldn't sit back, we need to test their back line."

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool slipped at the weekend, but they would need to deliberately hurl themselves off the edge of a cliff to blow the title this season. It ain't going to happen.

A major reason is that Arsenal have been unable to sustain the pressure and much of that is down to not having a backup striker, or indeed an out and out striker at all.

Back up strikers are important, though hard to find. Natural goalscorers are a selfish bunch, so asking a quality one to be an understudy waiting for the real star to dry up isn't simple but it is necessary.

When Kai Havertz got injured the short term answer of Mikel Merino up top might have given hope to the Gunners but the recent league form in front of goal has been damning for the title pretenders.

Only five goals scored while winning just two of the past six league games, and scraping only nine points from 18, simply isn't good enough.

It is time for Mikel Arteta to focus on beating Real Madrid, who have got one or two players capable of scoring a goal, I hear. Meanwhile Liverpool can continue to rummage about in the back of cupboards searching for those beach towels.

No one is piling on the pressure.

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said Mikel Arteta has done a "fantastic job" building a "complete" team at Arsenal.

The Gunners face Real in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

"There aren't many teams that I would say are complete in Europe," said the Italian. "He's built a complete team.

"There are lots of teams who do certain things very well but there aren't many that do everything as well as Arsenal do.

"He's doing a fantastic job. He is near the top of the Premier League, he's in the quarter-final of the Champions League."

Arteta has been manager of Arsenal for more than five years, but the FA Cup in 2020 is his only trophy success with the club to date.

"Arsenal are close to winning the Premier League," Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois added.

"They play well, have a young team and a nice blend of experienced players too. They defend well, press high, are good at the low block and are quick on the counter and have players who can score easily."