Arsenal handed 'we can go all the way' message after Real Madrid surprise

Declan Rice scored twice in a humbling of Spanish giants Real Madrid, one of the strongest teams remaining in the Champions League - and Arsenal fans in the football.london are willing Mikel Arteta's team to go all the way to final on that performance.

One of the most important games of Arteta's time in charge of the club began with a potential handball penalty call being waved away by VAR - something that former referee . The crowd were incensed, but the rest of the half would pass by without incident.

The second half brought , curling in a direct free kick. His second came in the 70th minute, straight into the top corner to sink Spanish hearts. Mikel Merino would seal the deal shortly afterwards thanks to efforts from Myles Lewis-Skelly.

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, Arteta said: "We had a complete and big performance collectively and you need that in terms of organisation, in terms of what we had to do to dominate the game and to create Madrid problems.

"And then this night is about all the two factors, one is the atmosphere that we created 15 minutes before kick-off, already something I haven't seen before, so playing with that energy, with that commitment, with your crowd, makes a huge difference. And then magic moments, individual moments that decide all matches and the first two goals of Declan, I think it sums up the night.

"We're going to enjoy the win because we feel we deserve to do that. But we know we just half time and we're going to have to be even better in Madrid to go through."

In our comments section, reader Gingergooner says: "You have to believe we can go all the way after tonight’s match!" Polycarp points out a fine record: "The history continues, Madrid have neither beaten nor scored against Arsenal in the Champions League."

The handball incident proved to be an annoyance to some, with commenter Natsu2243 saying: "So this one isn't a pen, but they awarded a similar one when Arsenal played Inter Milan. Seems they choose when to give them."

Faceofjustice agrees: "We no longer know the rules, only the VAR and the referees know. So we get contradictory explanations when it comes to handball inside the penalty area."

On our Facebook page, George Katsimaglis writes: "Declan’s rating should be 10. He deserves the maximum." Brian Finnimore hailed the player too, saying: "Captain Rice baby, he's truly worthy."

Have your say! Can Arsenal beat every team in the Champions League at the moment? .