Thierry Henry refers to one Arsenal player’s performance against Real Madrid as ‘insane’.

Arsenal secured a significant victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Mikel Arteta strategically rested several players for the weekend’s match against Everton to ensure their availability for the clash with the Galacticos.

 

This decision proved to be effective, as Arsenal delivered an outstanding performance throughout the match. Declan Rice’s two incredible free-kicks and Mikel Merino’s well-executed goal contributed to a dominant 3-0 win for the hosts.

 

Thierry Henry, who knows a lot about scoring against Real Madrid, was particularly impressed by one player’s performance. While Rice is already recognized as a top-class player, the high-stakes Champions League encounter against Real Madrid presented a tough challenge.

 

From the very beginning of the game, Rice showcased his brilliance. He was exceptional on the ball, constantly available for passes, supported Gabriel Martinelli on the left, and caused numerous issues for Real Madrid with his timely runs.

 

In addition to his two stunning free-kicks, Rice was named Player of the Match. Henry, who attended the game at the Emirates, was deeply impressed with Rice’s performance. He described it as “crazy” and noted that the midfielder seemed driven to “prove a point.”

 

During an interview with Rice, Henry remarked, “It looked like you played to prove a point. I don’t know to who – to your teammates, the fans, or others – but you were possessed tonight.”

 

Rice’s standout performance against Real Madrid reinforces a key point: since his arrival at Arsenal, there has been much debate about his best position. While he typically played as a defensive midfielder at West Ham and with England, Arteta has utilized him as a number eight at Arsenal. Despite some criticism, Rice’s performance against Real Madrid clearly demonstrated that he thrives as a box-to-box midfielder. His ability to drive forward with the ball, make late runs into the box, and his defensive work rate make him an invaluable asset to the team. Arteta’s decision to play Rice in this role has proven to be a perfect fit for Arsenal.