Arsenal made history against Real Madrid - this was the greatest night at the Emirates

This will go down as the best night the Emirates has ever seen. The night when as they put one foot in the Champions League semi finals.

Declan Rice wrote a piece of history by becoming the first player to score two direct free kicks in a knock-out tie and both were sensational. Out of the top drawer and straight into top bins. No wonder the Arsenal fans were singing: “Declan Rice - we got him at half price.” The £105m midfielder delivered an unforgettable performance.

And no wonder after his first - a stunning 20 yard effort which went right outside the wall and in again - the TV cameras panned to Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos up in the stands.

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Both free kicks - scored from a similar area on the edge of the box within the space of 12 minutes were straight out of the former Brazil star’s repertoire. Arsenal’s set piece coach Nicolas Jover looked as if he told Rice to put some whip on the ball - and the England star obliged. Twice.

Then Mikel Merino grabbed a third and sealed a comprehensive victory to take to the Bernabeu next week. Surely Arsenal have done enough to book their place. And if there were any doubts about whether Arsenal could overcome mighty Real Madrid then there should not be now.

They completely overwhelmed Real Madrid. Arsenal were better in every department and, after Rice broke the deadlock, they completely overwhelmed the Spanish giants.

The Emirates opened back in 2006 and, up until now, maybe the best night it has seen was back in 2011 when Arsenal beat the great Barcelona side in a last 16 tie. But this comfortably beat that night. It was the best night since the Emirates opened and Arsenal are now on course to reach the semi finals for the first time since 2009.

What a night. We knew that Real Madrid were struggling, they have been out of form in La Liga and have been hit by injuries. But they still have that inner strength when it comes to the Champions League - and yet Arsenal refused to be intimidated.

There can be no doubt that Arsenal have underachieved on Europe’s biggest stage, only reaching one final in 2006. But this time Mikel Arteta’s men rose to the occasion. The first half was tight and tense. Kylian Mbappe went through but was denied by David Raya. Arsenal went close at the other end with Rice’s header saved by Thibaut Courtois who then denied Gabriel Martinelli on the follow-up.

You began to think it was not going to be Arsenal’s night when twice fit-again Bukayo Saka sent over a low cross skimming across the box but there was no centre forward to tap it in. No wonder Saka turned away and screamed in frustration.

Then came the breakthrough. Saka was fouled. Rice grabbed the free kick 20 yards out. The Real Madrid wall lined up and yet Rice whipped it way outside the post - and then in again. The whole place erupted.

Arsenal nearly got a second but Courtois made a brilliant double save and David Alaba cleared off the line as Gabriel Martinelli and Merino were denied. But twelve minutes after the first, Rice took another free kick and this time curled it round the wall and it flew into the top corner. It was hard to say which was better.

Arsenal fans were probably still debating when Myles Lewis-Skelly’s pass found Merino who swept home into the far corner. Who needs a centre forward after all Just to rub salt in Madrid’s wounds Eduardo Camavinga was sent off for a second yellow card in injury time. Arsenal fans can now begin to dream.

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