Back to the Atlanta United Newsfeed

Arteta hails Rice for ignoring set-piece coach vs. Real Madrid

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised Declan Rice after the midfielder revealed that he ignored the advice of the club's set-piece coach before scoring the first of two sensational free kicks against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

The England international's first-ever goals direct from free kicks led Arsenal to a 3-0 win over Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal at the Emirates Stadium.

After the game, Rice said that Arsenal's set-piece coach Nicolas Jover was instructing him to cross the ball.

"It didn't make sense," said Rice.