Arsenal dominated the second half of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid, netting three goals to move closer to the semi-finals.

Despite a fiercely contested first half with no goals, two free kicks from Declan Rice sent the already lively Emirates into euphoria after the break, and Mikel Merino’s goal further heightened the atmosphere. It was a remarkable night for Arsenal on a significant stage, though they are only halfway there.

Their advantage is significant, and Madrid will need a monumental effort to get back into contention, yet Mikel Arteta will consider the path to a semi-final place as still distant.

The Emirates was keen to put on a show ahead of kick-off, with plenty of Arsenal supporters describing this contest as the most significant at this ground since the Gunners moved in. Arteta labelled the occasion as the “biggest” of his managerial career to date, while Carlo Ancelotti merely raised an eyebrow.

Arsenal sought to respond to an impressive atmosphere, but the crowd hushed when a underhit Bukayo Saka pass allowed Vinicius Junior to break away with green grass ahead of him. Fortunately for the hosts, the Brazilian’s trivela cross was cut out by William Saliba.

The visitors placed emphasis on finding their speedsters in attack at the first possible moment while also offering periods of serenity in the build-up phase to tame the lively hosts. Arsenal were similarly measured after Saka’s nervy early pass, and Thomas Partey came closest to breaking the deadlock when he fired a shot straight at Thibaut Courtois from the edge of the box.

Madrid then grew once more, and should’ve taken the lead through Kylian Mbappe after he was brilliantly found by Jude Bellingham in behind Arsenal’s defence. The Frenchman attempted to close-off his shoulders and complete a trademark near post finish, but didn’t execute as he would’ve liked, allowing David Raya to save.

There’s was a watchable ebb and flow to proceedings, with the Gunners enjoying their best period of the contest at the end of a finely poised first half. Saka dangerously crossed twice across the Madrid box to no red-shirted beneficiary, while Courtois completed an excellent double save to prevent Rice then Gabriel Martinelli from scoring.

There may have been fears that Arsenal would be left to rue their first half openings, but Rice’s free-kick brilliance ensured there were no Gunner regrets. The midfielder’s first effort, struck two minutes before the hour, bent around Courtois’ wall and beyond the outstretched Belgian. His second, which arrived after another Arsenal flurry which somehow didn’t produce another goal, was perhaps even better.

Rice backed himself to beat Courtois on his side, thumping an unstoppable effort into the far corner. Bedlam.

Mouths were still open and hands were still on heads from the midfielder’s dead-ball masterclass when the suddenly cultured centre-forward Merino added a third for the hosts with a sweeping finish 15 minutes from time. Arteta’s side then did a fine job of ensuring the visitors didn’t get a sniff in the game’s closing act.

As a result, they’ve got a 3-0 lead to take with them to the Spanish capital, and Madrid will be without Eduardo Camavinga after his sending off in stoppage time.

Check out the player ratings from Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid here.

There were concerns from the visiting press regarding Arsenal’s potential set-piece superiority on Tuesday night given that Madrid had conceded in back-to-back games from dead ball situations.

Some might’ve expected the hosts to dominate from corners in north London, but nobody expected a Declan Rice free-kick brace. Despite his elite ball-striking, Rice has rarely, if ever, found himself over the dead ball with the opposition’s goal in sight.

In truth, his chances of finding the back of the net with both of his efforts were incredibly low. Not against this goalkeeper, who’d frustrated Arsenal with several impressive stops in the opening hour. However, there was nothing Courtois could do to deny Rice’s brace.

His first bent around Courtois’ wall with power and precision. The second was all brawn. A ruthless hit which entered the Belgian’s net with the utmost satisfaction.

Arsenal supporters have waited years for a goal directly from a free-kick. It’s fair to say it was well worth the wait.

The stage was set for a seismic encounter. Arsenal may have proven themselves to be one of the Premier League’s best over the past three years, but their quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich last season means supporters have longed for a significant victory on a major European occasion.

Real Madrid are the Champions League’s final boss. Synonymous with glory in this competition, they’re going for European crown number 16 this term. They were the favourites to advance into the semi-finals, but Mikel Arteta’s Gunners produced a display for the ages.

Collective mastery won out over individual brilliance on Tuesday night. Sure, the tie was broken open by two free-kicks that Rice may well never come close to scoring again, but Arsenal had done more than enough to earn a two-goal lead. They took full advantage of Madrid’s indecisiveness out of possession, with teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly producing a swaggering display with the ball that helped the Gunners relentlessly get upfield.

The visitors’ tactical shortcomings came to the fore against a conditioned machine, with the absence of Gabriel and a recognised striker failing to deter the hosts. They were excellent across the board, and their containment of Madrid’s stars in attack stands them in good stead heading into next week’s second leg.

Quentin Tarantino regarded Inglorious B*sterds as his “masterpiece” via Lt. Aldo Reine at the end of the Hollywood classic. Well, Arteta may well regard this 3-0 victory over the 15-time European champions as his, via the medium of Rice’s destructive right boot.

This was a miserable night for the perennial victors, who lost their 11th game in all competitions this season at the Emirates. We knew they were beatable entering the contest, but many expected Ancelotti’s side to once again find another gear on the big stage.

They would’ve been pretty content with the opening period, but the second half was close to a collapse. It was reminiscent of the defeat they succumbed to at the Etihad two seasons ago.

Mbappe was perhaps Madrid’s best, but he failed to produce with his big moment in the first half. The Brazilian wingers got little change out of their respective full-backs, while Jude Bellingham cut a mightily frustrated figure as his international teammate stole the show.

3-0 deficits are very rarely overturned at this stage of the competition, but their task next week is not an impossible one. Arsenal’s stout backline renders the challenge tough, but we all know what an early goal can do. Madrid have a knack. You can’t rule them out until the final whistle blows in the Spanish capital next Wednesday.