Declan Rice was the toast of the Arsenal dressing room after his Champions League heroics.
The midfielder scored two stunning free-kicks as he inspired the Gunners to a 3-0 win over Real Madrid.
instagram / @_gabrielmagalhaesThe Arsenal hero was congratulated in the dressing room at full-time[/caption]
Mikel Arteta’s side now have one foot in the semi-finals ahead of next week’s second leg in Spain.
Rice’s performance at the Emirates Stadium saw him named the player of the match by UEFA.
After collecting his award, the England international received a hero’s welcome upon arriving in the home dressing room.
His teammates were quick to congratulate him, including some of the squad’s injured stars.
Gabriel filmed his interaction with Rice as they embraced following a historic European victory.
The Brazilian joked: “Oh my god, give me your right foot please! Unbelievable brother!”
It comes after Gabriel was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury just last week.
However, it did not stop him sharing his interaction with Rice to Instagram as they celebrated the result.
Arsenal fans were quick to react on social media, with one writing: “Love this team.”
Meanwhile, another also joked: “Gabriel is too funny.”
instagram / @_gabrielmagalhaesGabriel jokingly asked Rice to ‘give me your right foot’[/caption]
CBS SportsEven Kylian Mbappe was impressed with the midfielder’s free-kick goals[/caption]
Gabriel was not the only player impressed, though, with Kylian Mbappe even appearing to acknowledge the quality of Rice’s goals.
Footage of the Real Madrid forward after his second strike showed him shrugging and raising his eyebrows in disbelief.
Rice also became only the fifth player to score two free-kicks in a Champions League match and the first against the Spanish giants.
They were also his first senior goals from direct free-kicks after almost 340 previous club appearances for West Ham and Arsenal.
Following Rice’s efforts, the Gunners sealed their victory with a third goal from Mikel Merino.
It means the reigning champions will need to win by three goals just to take the tie to extra time.
The second leg is scheduled to be held at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday, live on talkSPORT.
If Arsenal can defend their first leg lead they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa in the last four.
