Mikel Arteta Provides Injury Update on Declan Rice, Saka after Arsenal Win Over Real Madrid
- Arsenal are close to booking their spot in the Champions League semi-final after crushing Real Madrid 3-0 on Tuesday
- The Gunners have one foot in the semis but got some injury scares ahead of the second leg next week
- Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were taken off in the second half and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provided an update
Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals but there were concerns about Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka after the game.
Source: Getty Images
Did Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka suffer injuries?
Saka and Rice were withdrawn in their incredible 3-0 win over Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.
Saka had to come off in the 74th minute and appeared to be in discomfort following a tackle during the match. The England winger was making his second start since returning from a three-month injury layoff.
Rice, on the other hand, came off in the 80th minute after inspiring the Gunners to a historic win.
In his post-match interview, Mikel Arteta provided an update on the two key players as they prepare for the second leg.
"I think Dec had an issue with his foot, I don't know if it was a tackle or what it was, and Bukayo was after he got tackled on the foul, I think he had a knock and he had to go," he said via Arsenal.com.
Rice has made 43 appearances for the Gunners this season and registered seven goals and eight assists. He has missed one Champions League match this campaign.
How Declan Rice inspired Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Arsenal's clash against Real Madrid was one of the biggest games in the Champions League this season. The Gunners were the underdogs but they comfortably dismantled the reigning champions.
The first half was tightly contested but the hosts dominated the ball, creating great chances, but just couldn't get past Thibaut Courtois.
Source: Getty Images
The first half ended in a goalless draw but many felt the La Liga giants were on the ropes. In the second half, Arsenal kept plugging away and finally got a break.
Rice fired an unstoppable free-kick past Courtois in the 58th minute after Saka was fouled. 12 minutes later, Rice scored another stunning free-kick to give the Gunners a commanding lead.
“This is probably up there with the best moment in my career in terms of the goals I've scored. I think the free kick is probably the best goal I've scored," Rice said.
Courtois produced some brilliant saves to stops but couldn't deny Mikel Merino who made it three in the 75th minute. Real Madrid tried and failed to mount a comeback. The North London club could face PSG or Aston Villa if they advance.
Carlo Ancelotti's side need to win 4-0 in the second leg to progress to the semi-final.
Can Arsenal win the Champions League?
Arsenal have never won the Champions League in their history and the only time they came close was in 2006 when they reached the final but lost to Barcelona in the final.
As TUKO.co.ke reported earlier, Opta's supercomputer predicted the 2024/25 winner after the Gunners' latest win.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
