Arsenal is a team that has become famous for its threat in groups, but direct free kicks are different.
ARTETA said after the match that they had not scored one since September 2021, until he scored two in 13 minutes against Real Madrid.
Arsenal's free kicks are usually taken by Bocao Saka or Odegard, but Rice said he saw the area surrounding the Madrid wall for the first goal and told Saka that he was confident.
“If you feel it, go to him” – and he will be happy because he did so.
“It was not logical from that angle by crossing the ball [which Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover was signalling to do on the touchline]. “It should be a sensitive pass,” Rice added.
“I am happy because I took it because it was magic.”
This was not prevented by Jofer flogging at the celebration.
ARTETA added: “He can claim it if he wants, it does not matter. It is incredible.”
The opening match was the goal that Arsenal deserved to be dominated, but the best has not yet come.
“Until Superman will get it,” Alan Shearer said.
“It looks far away, you don't even realize. We would touch it and put it – Me and Martin [Odegaard]But MBAPE was somewhat very close.
“But I thought after that, I got the side of the goalkeeper, and I practiced this a lot – I would go for it. I had confidence from the first one. If he exceeded the tape, it will not matter.
“It will not hit me now because there is another leg to go. I am excited, I'm happy, I'm above the moon.
“It was in the cabinet, but I hit the wall several times or disappeared on the tape.
“But within a few years, this will really hit me that what I did tonight was really special.”
For Rice, this was his biggest moment so far in Arsenal's shirt, but midfielder and midfielder McCle Mirino – who scored the third goal – was not surprised by how a West Ham man stopped.
“If there is a player who can do this, what is his cleanliness, he is Diklan,” said Arta.
“But you have to implement it at the highest level. And against one of the best goalkeeper in the world as well. It is amazing.
“It has been very designed because we have been talking over the past few months. He has done that tonight.”
“He has one of the best shootings that I have seen in my career. I am not surprised, maybe you. I hope more will come in the future.”
Former Arsenal defender Matthew Opson BBC Radio 5 Live told “a night to remember” for Rice and was “he made the difference alone.”
