Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal stars to follow Declan Rice example and take 'next step' after Real Madrid magic | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta says he loved the way Declan Rice seized the initiative in Arsenal’s memorable win over Real Madrid

Declan Rice produced two moments of magic as Arsenal beat Real Madrid

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Rice revealed after the game that he had ignored the orders of Nicolas Jover for the first free-kick goal, with the set-piece coach telling him to cross it rather than shoot.

“They have to make the decision,” he said. “I love it, especially when it goes in the back of the net, instead of losing it on the counter attack!

“We are here to help them, to paint the picture of what the options are, but I loved it. When we talk about taking the next step, it is a lot about that.

“Taking the initiative, making things happen on the pitch and believing you can actually win the game by yourself sometimes. I was really impressed with the way he (Rice) did it.

“You have to do something that is not in the books, we always talk about it. It is like the energy we create in the stadium. That’s a magic moment.

“It felt like the crowd was taking that ball and putting it into the net. It was something special, that night from the beginning, and when you are able to create those moments, you are more likely to experience the situation we had.

“The first one he [Jover] says: ‘You see I told him to bend the ball’ [imitating Jover asking the ball to be whipped], because the crowd and the people can’t really understand.

“I had my nephew telling me: ‘I saw Nico telling him…’ I said: ‘You don’t wanna know the truth…’

“It’s related to confidence as well and feeling and owning that moment, which is really important.

“So there’s no coincidence that all the top teams, you look at their games in the Champions League, the amount of individual moments that won the football matches, I mean, in the Champions League at this level, that’s a necessity.

“Without that, I don’t think you have a chance to progress and be in the finals and winning trophies like we want.”