Arsenal fans all spot the same thing seconds before Declan Rice goal vs Real Madrid

It may have been Declan Rice getting the plaudits for his stunning free-kicks against , but maybe there was more than meets the eye. opened the scoring in their quarter-final tie vs the European champions when Rice found the back of the net with a curling set-piece that had the Emirates on its feet.

The moment came just before the hour mark when Alphonso Davies fouled around 25 yards out. Rice then expertly fired past Thibault Courtois with stunning accuracy.

The England midfielder took the acclaim of the jubilant home crowd, but after watching replays it appeared Nicolas Jover wanted to stamp his own little influence on his proceedings. Stood next to Arteta, Jover - who is often seen on the touchline during set-piece situations - was spotted giving out instructions, which most believed was telling him to curl it in the corner.

However, speaking after the game, Rice revealed that Jover was actually telling the midfielder to cross it into the box. But luckily, he didn't advice on board, instead smashing it past Courtois. But before Rice spilled the beans and suggested he actually IGNORED his coach, fans were quick to heap praise on him.

"That’s Jover’s handwork on the set pieces," one insisted. "The set piece kings just added direct free kick goals to our locker. Nicolas Jover is SCARY," another posted.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

"Nicolas Jover, I owe you a lot," a third said, with a fourth adding: "Commentators try so hard to discredit Jover, that he literally told Rice to curl it around the wall and they’re still saying you can’t coach that - coaching is about knowing the ability of your players and putting them in positions to use them to the teams advantage."

Alan Shearer, working on commentary for Amazon, decided to - strangely - focus his attention on the player taking the stunning free-kicks. On his first, he said: "A fan behind me was shouting "smash it Declan, smash it" and that's exactly what he has done! A bit of finesse and a bit of curl.

"What a strike! It is absolutely magnificent. The keeper had no chance."

Remarkably, his second may have been even better, as he once again followed the golden advice of hitting the ball into the top corner. Shearer said: "You thought the first one was impressive? Goodness me. The accuracy, the power, the bend and the control on it.

"Thibaut Courtois left a big gap because he thought he was going to go over the wall. It just sensational. Courtois is nowhere near it. It is absolutely incredible."

Matt Upson on Radio 5 Live said: "I don't think anyone expected that to happen. Why not? Because the first one was an absolute screamer and you think he can't beat that.

"This free kick is absolutely superb. It has bend. It has power. Question marks over the wall from Real Madrid, but it is such a lovely free kick hit right into the postage stamp."

Arsenal then made it three through Mikel Merino after 75 minutes, with the Gunners now in the driving seat to secure a place in the Champions League last four.

Rice cleared up Jover's gesture to Amazon and ruined some of his mystique in the process. “We were planning on crossing the ball, but I spoke to Bukayo and he said to me if you’re feeling it, take it. I saw the wall and the keeper and it didn’t make sense to cross it.

“Nicolas Jover kept telling me to cross it but Bukayo told me to take it. I took control and I told B 'I’m going to hit this'.”

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our