Just when you think nothing could have topped last night, Declan Rice’s two free kicks, you then listen to his post-match interview.
Within moments after the final whistle, he and Mikel Merino were interviewed on the pitch, still buzzing with adrenaline. About 20 minutes later, Rice accepted an invitation to join the panel, and that’s when the enormity of what he had just achieved began to sink in. Much like Thierry Henry’s iconic winner against Real Madrid nearly two decades ago, Rice became immortal at the Emirates. Whatever happens from here, his set pieces will live on forever.
His decision to disregard his captain and set-piece coach, who both instructed him to cross the ball rather than shoot, will be showcased in every Arsenal montage for years to come. Not only does he owe thanks to Saka for winning the free kicks, but it was also his England teammate who, at the last moment, encouraged Rice to take the shot if he felt confident about it.
Given that the 26-year-old has previously confided in pundits about his self-doubt, that encouragement could be the difference between qualifying or not in a tie that was always going to be decided by the smallest of details and moments.
Rice moved to North London for nights like this, and of course, for the £105 million transfer fee, he’s expected to make an impact in the biggest matches. Yet, he has won over the fanbase by treating the privilege of wearing the shirt with the respect it deserves.
One of my favourite moments of last season was his reaction to the 60,000 Gooners serenading him after he scored against Manchester United. His smile was that of a young man who had grown up understanding the size of the club and what it meant to now be on this stage.
For too long, Arsenal fans had grown accustomed to our best talents leaving, or the captaincy being handed to them as a means to keep them around longer than they wished. It’s refreshing to see someone so respectful of our badge.
After the disappointment of losing the Euro 2024 final and recovering from a foot injury, it took a while for him to get back to full mental and physical fitness. However, since January, I’ve noticed Rice taking on more responsibility, particularly in making runs into the box. With our attacking limitations, he took it upon himself to step up and help find a solution. That’s the sign of a leader.
Even as a Hammer, it was predicted that as Rice developed, he would evolve into a box-to-box midfielder and add goals to his game. Incredibly, Rice had never scored from a dead-ball situation in his career until he did so twice in 12 minutes.
Even before that, he was driving forward, timing his tackles, and playing like a future captain. It’s too early to worry about how we’ll approach the second leg, but one thing is certain: if every Gooner adopts Declan’s attitude, complacency won’t be an issue.
Since the stadium was built, these are the European nights that it was crying out for. Moments that will always last, igniting the imagination, and capturing hearts. Declan Rice dared to chase his dreams when so many said he was chasing illusions.
Declan Rice became famous last night. He might have thought the UEFA Conference would be his biggest European moment—and it still is—but the difference is, at West Ham, greats become heroes, but at Arsenal, heroes become legends. That’s only just beginning to sink in now.
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Smith really wonderful piece of article touched with poetry. Rice deserves it. He’s good respectful manner always ready to applaud the good attempts of teammates. For him the 90 minutes are the end of the world leaving no energy in the tank for the next match. Hopefully in the near future he becomes the captain. He’s the attributes of a leader by example mindset like Pat Vieira. Amidst of the countless injuries Arsenal faced this season, Rice remains available in every match bar very few if any. Of course his nearby teammates like Partey have helped him to shine further giving him the freedom roam further.
Well said Dan. This is a wonderful tribute to Declan on his historic night. His performance aside, I think this is the game that will convince doubters on his ability to excel as a box to box operator.His running power is just too good to sit deep as six,even though he’s equally impressive in that role.
The fact that Yaya Toure is Declan’s idol is quite telling. There are definitely similarities between the two and now we know he can hit the free kicks superbly just like the Ivorian. He is developing into an all rounded midfielder who can do lots of things to a high level.
P.S. Often I’ve seen the inverted left back tactic being rubbished by some. It is by no means perfect, but the advantage it gives us far outweigh the disadvantages.This tactic is crucial to how we attack. It allowed Xhaka,and now Rice, to be further up the pitch and closer to goal;their goal contributions shot up as a result. With the left back assisting the six in midfield, the left eight can afford to be more adventurous.
Maybe the legendary Ian Wright was right, Arsenal should have paid £20 mill more for the Englishman service
With shots like that, I hope to see Mr Rice take more free kicks.
Two absolute bangers.👏👏👏👍😉
Reading that article, Dan I became all emotional and began an off key rendition of North London Forever
Cracking tribute to a guy who works his socks off, always gives the best he can and scored such belters ….. I’m off to have a little cry in recognition of his and the team’s performance
Careful Sue
You won’t be popular praising my writing lol
SueP,
I wondered why my wine glass just shattered.😂🤣👍😉
Lol
Great Article Dan
Really good read
I love Declan since we got him but last nights heroics i will always remember
Cheers Steph
He had never scored from a free kick but scored two blinder against the cemetery of talents, this argues well for his future and us by extension.
This was one of the reasons the gaffer desperately tried to sign Douglas Luiz
The Englishman best year’s could well be ahead of him
They won 2 out of 3 CL !!!!!
It seems at SF stage one each team from 4 different nations namely England, Spain, Italy and France. No duplication of teams from one nation. Germany hosts the final but may remain onlookers. Sorry for my hasty conclusions. Munich were unlucky as well when they host the final a few years back as Drogba’s Chelsea beat them at the final. Except the Inter v Munich game in the rest 3 games the margin is too wide to overturn them in the 2nd legs. Will it be in the SF Arsenal v PSG to meet again for the 2nd time and Barca v Inter? Sensational SF fixtures!
Great write up Dan 👍
I also saw this somewhere on MLS
Even Rooney did not play in a Champions League quarter-final at his age. Bellingham did, but his team lost. Faced with the Real Madrid of not just Bellingham but Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, Lewis-Skelly not only won but provided the game’s only assist.
Nobody on the pitch created more chances. Only Martin Odegaard completed more passes in the final third of the pitch. And he did all this while playing, ostensibly, as a left-back. It did not restrict his impact, foraging forwards and then tracking back.
Why I think he should be further forward
Don’t doubt his ability but his defensive positioning
I suppose he will learn though as he goes along
I had been indifferent to UCL for many years due to Arsenal not participating. I am now too obsessed with it. No disrespect to the FA Cups which Wenger and Arteta gave the fans, our long time craving for a major trophy may be realized by this big ear trophy this sason. PSG most likely the next one before the final. For me no way for Madrid come back. The Arsenal lads are too streetwise to effectively deal with Madrid’s approach. What bothers me the most instead is those 4 (Partey Martinelli Rice Timber) need to avoid yellow lest they would miss the tie v PSG at Emirates. If we had dropped points v Madrid I am sure everyone was philosophical pointing fingers at Arteta. Now I feel Arteta is not getting enough praises he deserves. Credit to the mastermind! Praising him will not undermine others.
Dan, the word Immortal to Rice I think is over overhyped. The 105m pricey Ricey has only 2 years service at Arsenal. Scored 2 worldie freekicks in 349 matches. Arsenal uncharacteristically paid all its budget for him not to harvest the best of Rice in one or two seasons but for a decade. Then we’ll talk about the immortality of Rice. The sample size is too small to talk about immortality. I deeply feel the word immortality is vast huge deep and transcends generations. Not yet for my Rice!
I more meant to live forever
That night / memory will be played back for years to come
Dan yeah I agree & understand. I’m 100% sure that the result will never be overturned though it is still football. This Arsenal team despite their age are not that naive. What if the result is overturned and Rice misses a very important and crucial goal in the 2nd leg? No one dare to talk about his worldie 2 goals let alone remembering them. Immortality instantly becomes mortal. Sorry Dan this is just my myopic viewpoint.
Yeah im nervous mate
Real score and it’s back on
Before that goals i was just cooking my jellof rice