“‘Even at West Ham…’ – Rice Reflects on Hammers Past After Arsenal Free-Kick Brilliance”
Declan Rice Steals the Show as Arsenal Thrash Real Madrid on Tuesday Night
Former West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice stole the spotlight with two stunning free-kick goals as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.
The emphatic win has given Mikel Arteta’s side a commanding advantage going into the return leg, with a place in the semi-finals now firmly within reach.
Should they progress, they’ll face either Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa in the next round.
Rice’s overall display in midfield was outstanding, as he consistently outperformed Real Madrid’s midfielders.
But it was his two spectacular goals from set-pieces that truly set tongues wagging.
Although Rice has contributed goals throughout his career, he isn’t typically seen as a player known for scoring in such sensational fashion.
In a post-match interview with Amazon Prime on 8 April, Rice referenced his former club West Ham while reflecting on the goals.
Arsenal are well-known for their well-rehearsed set-piece routines, often opting for intricate plays to unlock defences.
On this occasion, though, Rice went for a more straightforward approach—aiming directly at goal—and executed it with flawless precision.
His performance has likely thrust him into contention to become Arsenal’s go-to free-kick taker.
Speaking after the match, he said: “Even at West Ham and since I’ve come here, people have told me to shoot more.
It’s the small things—you need the right mindset to score. I know I’ve got the ability, it’s just about confidence.”
During his time at West Ham, Rice was typically deployed in a more defensive role by David Moyes, often playing as a number six or occasionally slotting into the backline.
Despite that, he still chipped in with crucial goals and was a central figure in the Hammers’ setup.
Since moving to Arsenal, however, Rice has been afforded more license to roam and contribute in attacking areas, both at club and international level.
This freedom has allowed him to showcase a broader skill set, including his newfound threat from dead-ball situations.
Even the Arsenal faithful were stunned by the quality of his goals against Real Madrid—goals that will no doubt be remembered as some of the finest of his career.
