It was a Mikel Arteta masterclass at the Emirates as the Gunners dismantled Los Blancos in a riveting second half.

Their midfield ace was the star, as the England international became the first player to score two direct free kicks in a Champions League knockout game.

Rice’s first came shortly before the hour mark as Thibaut Courtois missed out on the curling classic before the second found the top corner 12 minutes later.

With 15 minutes to play, Arsenal made it three, as Miles Lewis-Skelly combined with Mikel Merino to stun the defending champions.

To make things worse, the visitors went down to ten men in the dying embers and will be without Eduardo Camavinga in the second leg.

Arsenal’s win is the 12th time that an English side have won by three or more goals in the first leg of a Champions League game; with each of the other sides going on to progress to the next round.

Record winners Real have had a history punctuated with magical European nights. But after suffering their joint heaviest first leg defeat in the competition, it would have to take something truly special for them to turn things around at the Bernabeu in eight days time.

Over in Munich, where the season’s final will be played, it was a difficult night for Bayern who succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Inter Milan.

The Serie A giants came out on top courtesy of goals from Lisandro Martinez and Davide Frattesi.

With the second leg taking place at the San Siro, the German leaders will need to mount a comeback away from home if they are to reach the last four.

Pictured above: Declan Rice

Source: @arsenal