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Ally McCoist delivers verdict on Arsenal win over Real Madrid as he makes Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli claim

Giuseppe Labellarte

Wed 16 April 2025 22:55, UK Updated Wed 16 April 2025 23:24, UK

Arsenal have reached the Champions League semi-finals after making light work of Real Madrid in their quarter-final tie.

Arsenal hammered Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium to gain a major advantage ahead of the trip to the Bernabeu.

And despite Jude Bellingham warning Arsenal of Real Madrid’s obsession with a “remontada”, Arsenal ended up winning the second leg 2-1 for a resounding 5-1 aggregate scoreline.

Bukayo Saka missed a penalty early on in the game but made amends with the game’s opening goal in the 65th minute.

Vinicius Jr equalised after a mix-up at the back two minutes later, but there was to be no late comeback for Real.

Indeed, Gabriel Martinelli added a second goal for Arsenal in the third minute of injury time to finish Real off completely.

Ally McCoist, speaking after the game, delivered his verdict on the Gunners’ performance as he made emphatic claims about Declan Rice and Martinelli.

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Ally McCoist hails Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli

McCoist spoke on TNT Sports about how Arsenal fully deserved to win the game, claiming Gabriel Martinelli against Fran Garcia was “the mismatch of the season”.

McCoist said, as per : “Those lads deserve to win the game. For me, they have deserved to go get a winning goal.

“That was the mismatch of the season – Gabriel Martinelli against Fran Garcia. Nobody can tell me that they don’t deserve to win the game tonight.”

McCoist then singled Declan Rice out for praise as he said he was by far the best player in the tie.

“Declan Rice, he was monumental,” said McCoist. “He was the best player over the two games by some stretch.”

How Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli fared against Real Madrid

Rice was once again the man of the match against Real with a complete performance that helped destroy Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Rice was virtually everywhere as he stifled Real with numerous tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks.

He was commanding in the middle of the park, read the game perfectly and was key in transition.

Meanwhile, Martinelli impressed throughout, weighing in with several efforts and always looking to stretch play down the left flank.

Then, late on in the game, he completely outpaced Fran Garcia, who had only come on 30 minutes earlier, to add the cherry on top.

Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals.

The first leg ties will be played on 29-30 April 2025, while the return legs will take place on 6-7 May 2025.