Mikel Arteta [Alexander-Canillas/SPP]

THE headlines covered all the bases: “Bend It Like Dec-ham”, “Declan in Dreamland”, and, of course, “Rice, Rice Baby”.

Arsenal’s Declan Rice-inspired annihilation of Real Madrid on Tuesday has been described as the best-ever night at the Emirates.

And cheeky supporters in the stands lapped it up as they belted out “Are you Tottenham in disguise?” throughout the closing stages of what was a statement 3-0 Champions League win.

Mikel Arteta had called for the fans inside the stadium to roar his players on from the warm-up. And as Rice lined up two free-kicks from almost impossible distances, against one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Thibaut Courtois, it was as if those fans sucked the ball into the back of the net.

Arteta insisted it was the belief whirling around Ashburton Grove that led to a showdown that will be remembered for years to come.

“It’s a beautiful night at the highest stage in the Champions League against the team that has dominated this competition,” said the Arsenal boss.

“We had an incredible performance in an amazing atmosphere, something I haven’t seen before here, and we created a magical night – two magic moments from Declan individually and a magic moment for the team to perform the way we’ve done.

“It’s all about belief; you have to be super convinced that actually you’re going to do it.

“You could see the crowd 15-20 minutes before kick-off already singing and bringing that energy, and I’m a big believer in that.

“We haven’t scored a direct free-kick since September 2021, and Declan has never scored a free-kick in his career, and today in 12 minutes we scored two. There is something about the energy, the belief and people striving to achieve the same thing – things happen.

“It just brought the team forward, elevated every individual to a different level, and it created a very difficult scenario for the opposition.”

Deep down every Gooner has that little voice in the back of their head thinking the same thing ahead of the second leg on Wednesday: But this is Real Madrid, and a 3-0 advantage might just not be good enough.

Arteta is equally cautious. He added: “It’s just half-time. We have an incredible match to play at the Bernabeu, and we’re going to have to, again, increase the level and go there prepared again to win it.”

Mikel Merino capped a magnificent night on Tuesday with a sublime curler, but the midfielder-turned-makeshift-striker wouldn’t have begrudged Rice the plaudits.

Still buzzing from scoring his first-ever free-kick – and brace – in 339 career games, Rice said: “To be honest with you, I’m not used to all of this praise and media and just people saying how good the free-kicks were! I’ve seen them back a few times now, but I think I’ll be up watching it all night. It’s an incredible moment; I can’t believe it.”