CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 

ARSENAL 3 (Rice 58 70, Merino 76)

REAL MADRID 0

ARSENAL summoned the spirit of 2006 – and then some – to humble Real Madrid in one of the great European nights in the club’s history.

Declan Rice smashed in two perfect free kicks before Mikel Merino picked out the far corner with an expert finish.

It was no more than the Gunners deserved after they rained down on the Madrid goal in the second half – with a series of superhuman saves from Thibault Courtois sparing the visitors a total thrashing.

Both Rice’s goals were things of glorious beauty.

But all the players were sensational – in particular Miles Lewis-Skelly, Thomas Partey and Bukayo Saka.

The first half had been an even contest and Madrid should have really taken the lead through Kylian Mbappe who spurned two good chances.

But at full time Arsenal fans were ole-ing as crisp one touch passing ran the visitors ragged in a humiliating fashion.

Even a crucial consolation goal did not look likely thanks to the safe hands of David Raya and the calm presence of Madrid-target William Saliba and resilient Jakob Kiwior, admirably filling in for the injured Gabriel.

Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in injury time to put the icing on Arteta’s massive cake.

After the match the manager said: “The team was super convinced, we had to trust that we could do it.

“That we could do it against the best opposition that could face in football.

“We’re going to enjoy the win. Even though it is just half-time.”

Madrid – who have never beaten Arsenal in all of time – will no doubt come firing back at the Bernabeu.

And there was concern despite the result about Saka and Rice going off injured – although Arteta said both appeared to be not “serious”.

Arsenal’s league campaign has been so disappointing because this team – without major injuries – can clearly beat any side on its day.

They are also arguably better at dispensing with challengers that come to play.

The story may have been very different had tight football Atletico had won that penalty shoot out against Real.

Fans were singing “Declan Rice, we got him half price” after his first free kick bent around the wall with the kind of power and curl that would have the old galactico Roberto Carlos purring.

The Real Madrid legend – who was part of the 2006 team that the Gunners outfought enroute to the final – was at the Emirates to witness it.

But the night stated to go balmy when he smashed in a second – even better this time, arcing unstoppably into proper top corner.

The Arsenal attack – so often maligned in recent weeks – had rained down on the Madrid goal, forcing a string of incredible saves from Courtois and last ditch clearances from the panicking Real defence.

Balmy turned full crazy when Merino – the man who got to play up front after scoring two late goals against struggling Leicester – curled in an exquisite first time left foot finish into the far corner.

Lewis-Skelly, 18, was a tower of strength and enterprise throughout. He had the presence of mind to roll the ball across to Merino, but he still had a lot to do to beat Courtois who was Madrid’s man of the match.

Lewis-Skelly had played alongside Partey in front of the what became a back three when Arsenal were in possession.

The teenager’s scything passes and bustling style was the driving force behind the Gunners best attacks.

It unsettled Madird who looked nervous under pressure.

There were big fireworks and red flags for everyone to hold up before kick off while a massive Thierry Henry at the Bernabeu banner billowed over the Clock End.

Bukayo Saka won a freekick in the opening minutes after he was clipped just outside the area by David Alaba – inches from a penalty.

It set the tone for the tussle on the right side with Saka coming out on top almost every time, gliding to the defender’s right or left and making it look so easy.

Martin Odegaard – who played well but still looks a little out of sorts – hit a tame free kick that allowed Vinicius Junior to break away at lightning pace.

It was the story of the first half that saw intense pressure from the Gunners but Madrid left relatively free to counter.

But Arsenal were taking the game to Madrid – who seemed to be caught out by the ambition – and the fans were roaring them on.

In the first half, Vinicius had a shot well wide after two fouls were not given to Arsenal.

Mbappe shot straight at Raya when clear through on goal and big space to aim at in the far corner.

In the first half, Courtois made an incredible double save, first powerful header from Merino and then getting up to block a fierce follow up shot from Gabi Martinelli.

And in the second, the goalie pulled off another miracle double save, in a manic scramble that saw Alaba block a third effort.

Jude Bellingham thrashed away a powerful Rice effort off the line as the Gunners stormed to one of the club’s greatest victories.

Arsenal: Raya, Saliba, Timber (White 91), Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice (Tierney 80), Odegaard, Merino, Martinelli, Saka (Trossard 73)
Subs not used: Neto, Setford, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower,

Real Madrid: Courtois, Alaba (Garcia 78), Bellingham, Camavinga (red card 92), Junior, Valverde, Mbappe, Modric (Vasquez 71), Rodrygo (Diaz 84), Rudiger, Ascencio
Subs not used: Gonzalez, Mestre, Guler, Endrick, Vallejo, Garcia, Gonzalo, Ramon, Andres, Aguado