Declan Rice scored two stunning free-kick goals for Arsenal against Real Madrid, showcasing his remarkable improvement in finishing ability and his increasingly versatile role at Arsenal.
Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League was shocking not just for the scoreline, but also for its unexpected protagonist: Declan Rice. Within just 12 minutes, the English midfielder scored two sensational direct free-kicks — a feat even the most optimistic Arsenal fans could hardly have imagined, especially considering Rice had never scored from a free-kick in his entire career prior to that night.
From Potential to Breakthrough
Back in his West Ham days, Rice was often encouraged by senior teammates to shoot more from distance. He had always possessed the physical power and basic technical skill to strike from outside the box. However, it wasn’t until this season that he began converting that potential into tangible results. Before facing Real Madrid, Rice had missed all 12 of his career free-kick attempts. Even so, his development was not overnight — it was the product of steady improvement and growing confidence with every match.
After the match, Rice was still coming to terms with his achievement: “I don’t think it’s going to hit me, what I’ve done tonight,” he said.
A Remarkable Statistic
Arsenal have long struggled with direct free-kicks. Since the start of the 2021/22 season, they had scored just one goal from 64 direct attempts — excluding lucky efforts like Bukayo Saka’s cross that drifted in against PSG. In that same period, Manchester City scored 10 free-kick goals, Chelsea 7, Newcastle United 5, and five other Premier League clubs managed 4. Arsenal, by comparison, were among the league’s worst in this area.
This context makes Rice’s brace against Madrid all the more remarkable. Still, as he pointed out, it didn’t come entirely out of the blue. Signs of his growing confidence had emerged in recent weeks. In mid-March against Chelsea, he took his first direct free-kick in over a year. Against Everton last weekend, he tested Jordan Pickford with a powerful effort from just outside the box.
A Secret Weapon from Set-Pieces
During Arsenal’s winter break in Dubai, the coaching staff made a tactical shift — giving Rice responsibility for corners and free-kicks, rather than having him challenge for headers in the box. That change quickly bore fruit. Since January 2024, Rice has delivered eight assists from set-pieces, all via whipped deliveries from the left side. “He’s got one of the most powerful whips I’ve ever seen,” Pickford once said. “There’s so much power in those strikes.”
Beyond his deliveries, Rice’s long-range finishing has also evolved significantly. In his debut season with Arsenal, he has already scored twice from outside the box — matching his tally from each of his final two seasons at West Ham (2021–2023). Including his goal against Bolton in the League Cup back in September, Rice has now scored three times from range this season. His conversion rate from outside the box has hit 13%, nearly triple his career average of 4.5%.
A Player Still Improving
When he first joined Arsenal for a staggering £105 million, Rice was expected to make an immediate impact. Yet he made clear during a pre-season tour in Los Angeles that he was still a work in progress: “I know I have so many more levels I can get to,” he said.
His performance against Real Madrid was a powerful demonstration of that promise being fulfilled.
As Arsenal pursue major trophies, Rice’s transformation from a holding midfielder into a direct goal threat is a significant development. With his improving free-kick ability and consistent performances, he is proving himself worthy of every pound the club paid — and likely has much more to offer in the seasons ahead.