Jack Grealish has four-word message for one Arsenal star after Real Madrid victory | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Jack Grealish could not hide his delight at the individual performance of Arsenal’s Declan Rice against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola and his players are being made to watch on for the remainder of this season’s UEFA Champions League having exited the tournament prior to the last-16 stage for the first time since the 2012/13 campaign.

Real Madrid largely cruised past Manchester City in a play-off tie following the brand new league phase, in which they would then defeat Atletico Madrid before losing out to Arsenal in a stellar performance over two legs from Mikel Arteta’s side this month.

Among the standout performers for the Gunners was Declan Rice, who most notably notched two stunning free-kicks as part of the 3-0 home-leg win, before putting on a stellar showing away from home as Arsenal recorded a 1-5 aggregate victory to reach the semi-finals.

With some of Manchester City’s stars watching on from the comfort of their own homes, with Erling Haaland admiring PSG’s second-leg clash with Aston Villa on Tuesday night, Jack Grealish became the latest to wax lyrical of the players on show in Europe.

In an upload to his official Instagram story after the Gunners’ memorable victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night, Grealish issued his delight for Declan Rice in particular.

“What a player man”, the England international said of his national teammate and close friend, having seemingly watched his compatriot put in a stellar performance for Arsenal in the Spanish capital.

While Rice will no doubt be prioritising the UEFA Champions League for the remainder of the season alongside his Arsenal teammates, Jack Grealish and Manchester City have plenty of work to do just to qualify for next season’s edition of Europe’s premier competition.

Following a damaging dip in form across November and December, City are scrapping for a top-five finish in the Premier League alongside the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Chelsea in particular.

Next up for Pep Guardiola, Jack Grealish, and the Manchester City squad is a final ever visit to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon as they face David Moyes’ in-form Everton side before they transition over to a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock starting from next season.