Arsenal have handed a major boost to Mikel Arteta ahead of a crucial period in his side's season by handing out five new long-term contracts to key members of the club

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is close to securing the club’s first major addition of the summer transfer window, with a €20 million deal close to fruition.

Mikel Merino’s swerving finish to make it three will go under the radar because Declan Rice scored two belting free-kicks. The first had a stupid amount of power and swerve to give Thibaut Courtois no chance and the second was… just wow. Courtois is a man mountain and got nowhere near to the most top bins free-kick you will ever see.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice's two fantastic free kicks and a striker's finish from Mikel Merino secured a 3-0 victory over shocked holders Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at The Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Declan Rice scored twice as Arsenal stunned Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Midfielder Rice struck two stunning free-kicks in the second half and Mikel Merino added a third as the Gunners ran out 3-0 winners.