Those two superlative Declan Rice free-kicks which downed Real Madrid on Tuesday night were still being chewed over at the Emirates, four days on.
So much so, Rice’s celebration after striking his second goal in the 3-0 first-leg victory of the Champions League quarter-final tie was the matchday programme cover — for Arsenal’s Premier League game against Brentford.
It was a special night, arguably the finest since the Emirates opened in July 2006, hence why that match is still being reflected upon. But Saturday’s front cover also served as a reminder for Rice to further capitalise on a particular aspect of his game.
World-class set-piece execution, yes, but more broadly, his need to affect more games from an attacking sense in order to go that next level and become a world-class midfielder.
The 26-year-old’s ability to thwart counter-attacks, put in tackles and utilise shrewd positional awareness are talents Arsenal supporters marvel at week to week.
Right from kick-off on Saturday, Rice was in a deeper position than usual on the left side. On 10 minutes, he played the ball to an onrushing Gabriel Martinelli hoping for a give-and-go, the Brazilian instead driving to the byline.
Declan Rice was very positive going forward for Arsenal against Brentford on Saturday
Rice celebrates after teeing up Thomas Partey to open the scoring in the second half
Another moment saw him take on a couple of players with confidence after 41 minutes, marching into the box before his stabbed shot at goalkeeper Flekken was parried away.
It’s his numbers in attack that can improve with the tools he evidently already has in his locker. He has struck four goals in the Champions League, but just two in the league. From a league perspective, he can score more and provide more open-play assists — of his six league assists, two have been from set-pieces.
When Mail Sport asked Mikel Arteta afterwards whether Rice’s brace against Real Madrid had whetted the player’s appetite for scoring, he replied: ‘Yes, for sure. Every time you score a goal, after you have the feeling the next one you can score again.
‘I think he had an unbelievable action as well in the goal he scored today. Running the ball in open space until the right moment to release Thomas (Partey) and leave him one against one situation with the keeper. I think a really strong performance (from him) again.’
It did seem as though his Tuesday night heroics had given Rice the hunger for an increased influence in the attacking third.
That overall drive was reflected by his marauding drive which gave Arsenal the lead after 61 minutes.
Bryan Mbeumo’s corner-kick was caught by David Raya, the goalkeeper rolling the ball underarm to Rice.
The England man was not far outside the area, but already primed for a counter-attacking opportunity.
The midfielder looks to have the hunger to have more influence in the attacking third
Rice was seen practicing free-kicks prior to the Premier league clash at the Emirates
He took the ball, running nearly the full pitch with Brentford’s players scurrying in his wake. He looked both sides upon approaching the opposition box, identifying Thomas Partey open on the right side.
His delivery was cushioned and Partey did the rest, scoring past Mark Flekken. For a player nicknamed ‘horse’ by his team-mates for an ability to run around with limitless energy, you could see why. That strength to blitz through metres of grass within seconds is a real asset on counter-attacks and breaking through midfield lines.
A word of warning for Real: the midfielder had his eyes on set-pieces, even before the match started. He underwent free-kick practice, pinging a few from outside the area. Not all went in, by any means, but that freakish ability to hit the ball with both power and curl from a dead-ball scenario was once again seen.
There is more to come from Rice but, for now, it’s abundantly clear that both his attacking and defensive abilities will be needed on Wednesday if the Gunners are to shut out the Spanish giants once more and proceed to the Champions League semi-finals.
After all, that is Arsenal’s final hope of glory this season.
