North London witnessed a night for the ages as Arsenal dismantled reigning European champions Real\u202fMadrid 3-0, recording the club\u2019s widest margin of victory over Spanish opposition at the Emirates. Mikel\u202fArteta\u2019s side, who averaged just under 62\u202fpercent possession and completed close to 600 passes with an 89\u202fpercent success rate, were almost flawless from first whistle to last.<\/p>
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Declan\u202fRice wrote his name into continental folklore by bending two sublime free-kicks beyond the outstretched Thibaut\u202fCourtois\u2014making him the first Gunner to score twice from direct set-pieces in a Champions League match since Thierry\u202fHenry in 2004. In between those moments of artistry, Real were limited to speculative efforts; Kylian\u202fMbapp\u00e9, who arrived in London on 11 goals in this season\u2019s competition, mustered four shots but failed to hit the target once.<\/p>
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The pressure told again on 68\u202fminutes when academy star Myles\u202fLewis-Skelly, still only 17, carved open the Madrid back line with a driven cut-back. Mikel\u202fMerino\u2019s scuffed finish squeezed in at the near post, his third goal in five knockout appearances, and sent the Emirates decibel level soaring past 110\u202fdB according to in-stadium readings.<\/p>
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Madrid\u2019s frustrations boiled over in stoppage time as Eduardo\u202fCamavinga collected a second yellow card, condemning the holders to finish with ten men. It is the first time since 2020 that Los\u202fBlancos have conceded three unanswered goals in a Champions League knockout away leg, leaving them needing to overturn a three-goal deficit at the Bernab\u00e9u next week\u2014a feat they have never accomplished in the modern era.<\/p>
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For unrivalled Champions League coverage and expert betting insight, keep it locked on Betway\u202fArabia Sports News<\/strong>.<\/p>","continue_text":"Continue Reading","main_heading":"Blog"},"yoast_head":"\n