“I’m an honest guy”- Arsenal hero Declan Rice gives his take on Kylian Mbappé’s penalty incident as he accuses Real Madrid superstar of ‘falling to the floor’
Arsenal’s Declan Rice revealed what he told Kylian Mbappe after the Real Madrid star thought he had won a penalty during their Champions League tie.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Mbappe thought he had won a spot-kick in the first half of Madrid’s clash with Arsenal shortly after Bukayo Saka had missed the chance to make it 4-0 on aggregate to the Gunners from the penalty spot. The French star tangled with Rice and saw the referee point to the spot and show the England international a yellow card. However, after a lengthy VAR check both decisions were rescinded, much to the relief of Rice.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arsenal went on claim a 5-1 aggregate win in any case and progress to the semi-finals, ensuring Real Madrid’s defence of their title is now over. Rice was named the game’s MVP and said after the game he was always confident the penalty call was incorrect
WHAT RICE SAID
He told TNT Sports: “I knew it wasn’t a penalty. I had my arm on him, but I have to do that. I’m an honest guy. I said to him straightaway it wasn’t a penalty. He just fell to the floor. In the end we got the job done and it is a historic night for the club.”
WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL
Arsenal go on to play Paris Saint-Germain for a place in the Champions League final. The other semi-final sees Barcelona take on Inter.
It was the sort of performance and result which will have Arsenal fans believing and dreaming they can go all the way because, over the course of two legs, they were the ones who looked like experienced European campaigners.
They face Paris Saint Germain next and you can be sure a 5-1 aggregate score against the 15 time European champions will make everyone sit up and take notice.
Declan Rice bossed midfield, dominated his England team mate Jude Bellingham and that almost typified the difference in quality between the two sides on the night.
Arsenal were magnificent. They have fallen short in this season’s title race. So what does Arteta do? Leads Arsenal on a European charge.
The game’s first real flashpoint came after 11 minutes. After a VAR check, French referee François Letexier gave a penalty for Raul Asencio’s shirt pull on Mikel Merino.