Arsenal's historic 3-0 victory over Real Madrid: Arteta's tactical masterclass at the Emirates

‎Arsenal have taken a giant step toward the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, pulling off what could arguably be the most remarkable result in the history of the Emirates Stadium. On Tuesday night, the Gunners delivered a nearly flawless performance, thrashing holders Real Madrid 3-0 in a thrilling encounter that leaves Mikel Arteta’s men on the cusp of European glory.

'Arsenal's 'Rice.'

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‎A Fast-Paced First Half with Early Drama

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‎The match started at a frenetic pace, with both sides displaying their attacking intent early on. Arsenal almost found themselves ahead inside the opening five minutes when Antonio Rudiger’s clearance deflected off Eduardo Camavinga and narrowly missed Thibaut Courtois’ post. The Gunners were left wondering if that was a missed opportunity as a VAR review also cleared a possible handball by Raul Asencio in the penalty area.

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‎Real Madrid responded with their own chances. Vinicius Junior flashed a shot wide from 20 yards, and Kylian Mbappe was frustrated when his attempt sailed over the bar after a poor pass from Jakub Kiwior to William Saliba. Another chance was thwarted by Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya, who made an important save to deny Mbappe, keeping the game level.

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‎Bukayo Saka was creating danger for Madrid down the right wing, delivering an early low cross through the six-yard box that just missed finding an Arsenal striker. As the first half drew to a close, Courtois was forced into a double save, denying Mikel Merino’s header and Declan Rice’s rebound, leaving the scoreline tied at 0-0.

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‎Arsenal Break the Deadlock with Two Brilliant Free-Kicks

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‎The second half began with a renewed sense of urgency from Madrid. Mbappe fired into the side-netting after a smooth move, but it was Arsenal who would soon take control. In the 56th minute, David Alaba fouled Saka just outside the box, and from the resulting free-kick, Rice curled an exquisite shot around the wall, leaving Courtois with no chance. The Emirates erupted as Arsenal took the lead.

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‎Madrid were reeling, and a series of missed opportunities for Arsenal – including saves from Courtois denying Gabriel Martinelli and Merino – showcased the growing pressure. Just moments later, Rice was not to be denied. A second free-kick from a similar position followed, and Rice again delivered a stunning strike that found the top corner, doubling the lead and sending the home fans into delirium.

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‎As if to underline Arsenal’s dominance, Myles Lewis-Skelly – who was exceptional throughout – provided an assist for Merino, whose bobbling shot at the near post added a third and final goal. Real Madrid’s night worsened when Camavinga received a second yellow card in added time, leaving them with no way back into the match.

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‎A Tactical Masterstroke from Arteta

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‎Mikel Arteta’s gameplan was executed to near perfection. His side played with discipline, kept Madrid at bay when necessary, and were clinical in taking their opportunities. Arteta’s substitutions, including the introduction of Leandro Trossard and Kieran Tierney, further solidified the Gunners’ grip on the match, while Ben White’s late appearance added a final touch of composure at the back.

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‎Arteta's tactical acumen was evident throughout, as Arsenal nullified Real Madrid's attacking threat and exploited the spaces left by an increasingly desperate Madrid. The result leaves Arsenal with a commanding three-goal advantage as they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu next week, with one foot firmly planted in the last four.

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‎Player Ratings

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‎Here are the player ratings for Arsenal's incredible 3-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Emirates:

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‎Goalkeeper & Defence

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‎David Raya (7/10): Made the required saves to keep Mbappe and others at bay, especially claiming crosses confidently. Solid performance without much to fault.

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‎Jurrien Timber (6/10): Picked up an early knock but continued to fight through it. Madrid's best chances came down his flank, though his overall contribution was decent.

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‎William Saliba (8/10): A dominant display at the back. Saliba was a rock, showing why he’s one of Arsenal’s most reliable defenders, particularly against a dangerous Madrid attack.

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‎Jakub Kiwior (6/10): Had a shaky start with some loose passes, which gifted Madrid opportunities. However, he improved in the second half, looking more composed and solid.

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‎Myles Lewis-Skelly (8/10): A standout performer. His defensive work was exemplary, stifling Rodrygo's threats and offering attacking support when needed. He was a constant nuisance for Madrid.

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‎Midfield

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‎Thomas Partey (6/10): Played a more reserved role, breaking up play and distributing the ball efficiently. His composure was key, even if he didn't grab the headlines.

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‎Declan Rice (10/10): An absolutely flawless performance. Scored two stunning free-kicks that helped seal the game and completely controlled the midfield. His composure under pressure was remarkable, and his influence on the match was immense.

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‎Martin Ødegaard (7/10): Didn't have his most explosive game, but still kept Arsenal ticking. His clever movement and passing were crucial in creating space and maintaining possession in the attacking third.

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‎Attack

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‎Bukayo Saka (8/10): Still recovering from injury, Saka's pace and trickery were too much for Alaba to handle. He created multiple chances and looked dangerous, though he was substituted due to a knock.

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‎Mikel Merino (8/10): Had a quiet first half but came alive after the break. He was involved in multiple chances, and his goal was well-deserved, highlighting his positioning and composure in front of goal.

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‎Gabriel Martinelli (5/10): A somewhat underwhelming performance. Despite his pace, he struggled to break down Madrid’s defense and didn't have the same impact as his teammates.

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‎Substitutes & Manager

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‎Leandro Trossard (6/10): Came on for Saka and provided energy in the final stages. Played his part but didn’t have as much of an impact as some of the others.

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‎Kieran Tierney (6/10): Solid when he came on for Rice. He helped to shore things up and keep the game under control in the closing stages.

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‎Ben White (N/A): Came on too late to make a significant impact, but his presence added further defensive stability as the game wound down.

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‎Mikel Arteta (9/10): A tactical masterclass. Arteta set his team up perfectly, keeping Madrid at arm's length while exploiting their weaknesses. His game management was flawless, and his decisions were key to this monumental result.

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‎Arsenal’s 3-0 victory is a massive statement, and with their performance in north London, they have put themselves in a commanding position to progress to the next stage of the Champions League.