Mikel Arteta and Declan Rice nail Real Madrid point as Arsenal statement speaks volumes

Pure, unbridled joy. There was very little else from those of an Arsenal persuasion at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.

For a period there were undoubted nerves but it was all in the name of having something to lose. Bukayo Saka's early missed penalty added to that. . Did anyone tell Madrid they were still 3-0 down?

Following the build-up to this game, Real managed to spin the narrative so much that it would have appeared that they were favourites and actually three goals up themselves. It had almost been written that Arsenal were playing into Madrid's hands by taking such a lead from the first leg.

This sort of cognitive dissonance and outright arrogance can be hard to ignore or at least not partially buy into. After all, Madrid are the experienced ones here and they know how to win matches and ties at this level.

. "It was my first time as a coach in that dugout and today I realised after three minutes that in this stadium, anything is possible," he said.

That is the sense that had grown all week. Arsenal really managed to shut it down, though. Until William Saliba offered Vinicius Jr a free goal late on, Madrid didn't cause Arsenal any problems and the facade became increasingly hollow.

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"I mean, they are specialists of creating such a chaos, such a belief, and it's very difficult to understand really what's going on in the game and have certain certainty about how we control it. But I think the players showed their own maturity," Arteta added.

The fact that Arteta felt these things is evidence that his team could not escape the inevitable Madridness of this game.

"Not only because we're in the semi-final for the third time in our history, but also for the manner and the way we did it," Arteta started his press conference with at full-time, speaking of his immense pride in the players.

"Not only by the way we played, but also with the circumstances, the amount of injuries that we had. So I think overall, I think it shows the character of this team, of this club, and it's a night to be very proud of."

He continued: "The feeling that we have is a reality, basically. And the inner feeling that I had before the tie. While the players were transmitting and how prepared I could feel the team, that we are ready to compete against anybody. And now we have to continue to do that because I think we have some momentum now."

Next they will meet Paris Saint-Germain, who are on their own cathartic journey towards Champions League peace and glory. Arsenal have been behind PSG in much of the recent evolution but here they meet with the same goal in mind. Five-and-a-half years on from being eighth in back-to-back seasons, Arsenal are real challengers for the biggest prize.

"Well, that has been quite fast before because it was impossible to be in any round because the club was [not] in the Champions League for seven years," Arteta admitted afterwards. "So that shows you the turnaround and a lot of great decisions that the club has made and the contribution for a lot of people to be where we are.

"And it's a team that you can feel today how hungry, how determined, and the ambition that it's got. So we're going for more for sure." Declan Rice certainly agrees with him.

The midfielder already has a European trophy to his name - and one as captain, at that - after winning the Conference League with West Ham.

“It is massive," Rice said of the night, of Arsenal, and of this achievement. "I sensed it before I signed for the club that we were on an upwards trajectory. In this competition we have done amazingly well. We have full trust in the manager he has been amazing. This club is going to do special things in the next couple of years.”

Arteta and Rice were the two key nodes to Arsenal in the Spanish capital. In the head coach they have a truly elite figure who can set up his side to win any match. Rice is the glue on the field and has been relied upon more and more throughout the season.

Then there is Saka. He is the finishing touch and the stardust in the squad. His personal ride after missing another crucial penalty but being rewarded with the ultimate satisfaction by the end, is a good enough metaphor for the entire team.

Arteta and Rice both speak confidently and passionately of the confidence and passion flowing through the club. That has gone a long way - not to mention the obvious talent or all involved - to getting Arsenal in this position in the first place.