Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the Champions League this week, and all of the talk after the game has been about one man – Declan Rice.
Indeed, while Bukayo Saka received some praise for his performance, it was Rice who stole the headlines with his two free-kicks on the night.
Rice was incredible against Madrid, and he showcased another side of his game as he scored two remarkable free-kicks against the European champions.
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House Podcast, Ian Wright has been discussing Rice’s goals, and he’s shared the text he received from the midfielder after the game.
What Declan Rice text Ian Wright
Wright shared the details of a text conversation he had with Rice.
The Arsenal legend text the midfielder about his free kick, and he says that Rice replied to him simply saying ‘let’s go’.
Rice is on cloud nine after this result and performance, and he may well have fired Arsenal to the brink of history here.
“But then honestly, the second one, I don’t know what to, I don’t even know what to say about the second one because that’s the one where it’s just in the top corner.
“Couldn’t get any further in the top corner if the ball was square. I sent it to Dec this morning. He sent me back saying, ‘let’s go’.
“He sent me back, let’s go because like, you know what? It couldn’t have happened to just a better guy. He’s just honestly, I’m just so happy.”
Declan Rice’s free-kick record before Real Madrid
Rice stole the show this week with his two amazing free-kick goals against Real Madrid.
Rice could win the Puskas Award for one of those goals, and while the strikes were incredible, they were equally remarkable due to how shocking they were.
Indeed, while Rice’s shooting has been praised in the past, the midfielder had never scored a single free kick in his career.
| Declan Rice’s free-kick record before Real Madrid game | |
| Shots from free-kicks | 13 |
| Goals | 0 |
Remarkably, Rice had only taken 13 direct free kick attempts before facing Real Madrid this week, and none of those went in.
You have to imagine that Rice will indeed be on free-kick duty going forwards for Arsenal, and if he continues taking them how he did against Madrid, the Gunners will have a new weapon in their armoury.
