Champions League | Arteta’s Arsenal come of age with masterclass against Real Madrid

Arsenal's young stars shine in Champions League triumph over Real Madrid, setting sights on first major trophy under Arteta.

Arsenal dethroned the kings of the Champions League with ease as a 5-1 aggregate rout of Real Madrid sent the Gunners into the semifinals for the first time since 2009.

A commanding 3-0 first leg victory, lit up by two stunning Declan Rice free-kicks, laid the foundations in London.

But a 2-1 win in the cauldron of the Santiago Bernabeu to complete the job on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) was a coming-of-age performance for Mikel Arteta’s rising stars.

Arteta’s only major trophy in five and a half years in charge remains the 2020 FA Cup just months into his reign.

But the Spaniard has transformed a sleeping giant back into serial contenders for major honours.

“I sensed before I signed for the club that we were on an upwards trajectory,” said Rice, who rejected the advances of Manchester City to join Arsenal for a club record £105 million ($139 million) in 2023.

“This club is going to do special things in the coming years. We all fully believe in it, we have full trust in this manager - he’s unbelievable!”