10/04/2025

Read

iPaper at Malaysian Paper

www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download

app from the App Store or Google Play TM . Malaysian Paper or download

SCAN ME

SCAN ME

THURSDAY | APR 10, 2025

Malaysian Paper

Small sacrifice for Devils

‘Last year means nothing’ ar ’

- Story on page 30 Huge boost for Xin Ying All Guns blazing - Story on page 28

- Story on page 31

T HIS is the European pedigree that Mikel Arteta desired, and a victory to go down in Arsenal history. For now … But with the promise of more. Arteta had said his club needed to “create our own story” before this 3-0 evisceration of Real Madrid – a sentence that almost warrants repeating – and this was far more than just that. It was an epic. They now need to finish that story, both at the Bernabeu next week and maybe even by lifting the Champions League trophy for the first time at the end of next month. There should be no doubt about their capabilities after a victory like this. Madrid were subjected to the kind of humiliation that many had long suspected was possible from so many campaigns, but that so few teams have been able to do. Arsenal managed it, fully displaying the conviction that Arteta has instilled in this burgeoning side. The odd thing was, it could have been even worse for Madrid had it not been for Thibaut Courtois, and yet the goalkeeper could be construed as culpable for both of the first two goals. That is perhaps harsh given the sheer quality of Declan Rice’s strikes in his sensational free kicks, before Mikel Merino gave Arsenal the kind of scoreline their performance deserved. Arsenal didn’t just brutalise Madrid, though. They outsmarted them, which is arguably the deeper story of this sensational victory. Arteta had more injuries and a squad that lacked both the depth and the stars of their Spanish opponents, but you wouldn’t have thought that judging from this rout. That came from the intelligence about how to approach the challenge. They were cannier, Arteta’s pre-match gameplan paying off as they simply didn’t make the kind of mistakes that Madrid usually depend on. Madrid may not have been playing in white but they looked like ghosts. There was so much more substance to Arsenal. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are now going to have to conjure up the kind of comeback beyond even what they did in 2021-22. Yes, it is Madrid and it is the Bernabeu but Arsenal should not go there with any doubt. They were too good here. It was a performance worthy of

Arsenal obliterate Madrid to write most epic story in Emirates history

Arsenal’s Mikel Merino (left) celebrates scoring their third goal with Declan Rice during their Champions League quarterfinal first leg match yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

European That ascendancy was reflected by the context of the goals that won it. To think these were Rice’s first free kick goals at senior level. What a moment to rise to the occasion. Arteta hailed Rice’s magical double set-piece strike and then insisted Arsenal have “a lot more to give” in their historic bid to win the Champions League. “Declan’s been very determined because we have said in the last few months that we have not scored a direct free-kick in three-and-half years. “So, to score two goals in 12 minutes of that magnitude and of that quality from the same player, a player that has never scored a freekick before in his career, what are the odds? “This night was all about two factors; one is the atmosphere that we created 15 minutes before kickoff with something I haven’t seen before. “And then the magic, the individual moments that decide all matches. And the first two goals from Declan sums up the night.” Speaking after the game, champions.

just go for it. And Bukayo (Saka) said to just feel it. “The second one I had the confidence. I hit it. It’s not going to hit me now because there’s another leg to go. “I’m excited, I’m happy,

I’m over the moon. But in a few years’ time this will really hit me that what I’ve done tonight was really special.” – The Independent/Express Newspapers

Rice revealed that he was told by several of his teammates, including Martin Odegaard, to attempt to deliver a cross rather than shoot. However, after some words of encouragement from Bukayo Saka, he changed his mind and decided to shoot. He told Amazon Prime : “It’s been in the locker, but

I’ve hit the wall too many times or it’s gone over the bar.

“Originally we were going to cross it and then I’ve just seen the wall and the goalkeeper’s position. So I thought

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2625 Email: newsdesk@thesundaily.com • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com