If there was ever any debate surrounding the fee Arsenal paid West Ham United for Declan Rice then the midfielder made another big statement against Real Madrid.
With the world watching, Rice scored two of the best free-kicks in recent memory to propel Arsenal into a 2-0 lead in a Champions League quarter-final.
The Spanish press were blown away by Rice – a performance that was equally as impressive in open play.
Of course, the England international has always had more of a licence to influence games in the final third since making the switch from West Ham to Arsenal.
David Moyes preferred Rice as a number six – a position that is still his best in the eyes of some.
However, Mikel Arteta sees it differently, and his faith in Rice’s attacking instincts was once again rewarded at the Emirates Stadium, in dramatic fashion this time around.
Declan Rice says what people at Arsenal and West Ham have always told him
That being said, when speaking to Amazon Prime shortly after full-time, Rice actually mentioned his old club when he was talking about his brief to shoot more often.
Initially speaking about the hard work that goes into scoring free-kicks like he did, the former Hammer then admitted that scoring goals was also a ‘confidence thing’.
READ MORE: Arsenal interested in signing £150m forward who Declan Rice already knows well
Discussing his free-kicks, Rice said: “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.”
David Moyes was desperate to keep Declan Rice
Of course, it does now feel relevant to revisit some comments Moyes made last year about Rice leaving West Ham.
Moyes was speaking on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast and insisted that he offered Rice ‘a fortune’ to stay – attempts that were ultimately in vain.
READ MORE: What West Ham fans chanted about Arsenal’s Declan Rice right after Man City won the Premier League
Moyes said: “Behind the scenes, we had offered him a fortune to stay. Probably, we were putting it up all the time, two years before we started. Behind the scenes, we were trying to give him, but his mind was made up.”
An extraordinary talent, and one that some West Ham fans can still enjoy whilst he’s playing for England, where he admittedly still plays as a six.
And after a storming performance as an eight for Arsenal in such an important game, it will be interesting to see if Thomas Tuchel takes note.
