Former Gunner labels Rice ‘bargain’ | OneFootball

Jack Wilshere has called Declan Rice a bargain after his free-kick goals against Real Madrid, but the midfielder admitted afterwards he almost decided not to shoot.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Declan Rice was the Arsenal fans’ clear choice for Player of the Match after Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid, earning 96.5% of the fan vote and also picking up the official UEFA Player of the Match award.

Jack Wilshere took to Instagram to label the midfielder a “bargain” after the match, and Arsenal fans were in full voice singing “Declan Rice, we got him half price” in the stands.

Though it was a strong performance for many reasons, the standout moments were obviously Rice’s two free-kick goals. Yet those goals almost didn’t happen, with the player explaining afterwards that they initially planned for him to cross his first attempt.

Jack Wilshere shares Declan Rice Instagram post with the caption “bargain”

“Originally we were going to cross it,” Rice admitted in interviews with CBS Sports and Arsenal. “Then I’ve just seen the wall and the goalkeeper’s position, and I thought for the first one ‘just go for it’.

“Bukayo [Saka] said to feel it, and I see the outside of the wall, and it went in. Then the second one I just had the confidence.

“I just thought, ‘why not? What have I got to lose?’ I was going to go over the wall and I thought: ‘I’ve got the keeper’s side, on a good one.’ I’ve been practicing that a lot.”

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Fellow goalscorer Mikel Merino joined Rice for his interview, and he insisted the midfielder’s free-kick goals were no shock to him.

“We had a few free-kicks the last week,” Merino began. “And we didn’t score them. But honestly, this guy has one of the best shooting abilities that I’ve seen in my career, so I’m not surprised, maybe you are! Hopefully more will come in the future.”