At a Glance:
- Declan Rice stood out for Arsenal against Atletico Madrid.
- Bukayo Saka was decisive but Rice was better.
- Rice’s stats during Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid.
Bukayo Saka will grab the headlines after Arsenal’s 1-0 victory against Atletico Madrid and rightly so, as the 24-year-old scored the winner to propel his boyhood club into the Champions League club.
Saka was emotional after Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid as the win confirmed their place in the final of Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 20 years.
The Englishman was not at his vintage best, having only recently returned from injury but ultimately, he was decisive and in knockout competitions, that is worth its weight in gold.
However, one man was far superior to Saka on Tuesday night and that was Declan Rice, who shone against Atletico Madrid.
- READ MORE: What Bukayo Saka did after emotional reaction to Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid at full-time
Declan Rice was Arsenal’s best player against Atletico Madrid
Rice was Arsenal’s most influential player against Atletico Madrid, as he starred in defensive midfield. Mikel Arteta has changed Rice’s position and let him play in his natural role as a number six recently.
It’s safe to say that the 27-year-old looked right at home against Diego Simeone’s side, especially defensively as he snuffed their attacks with ease. The timing of Rice’s tackles were superb in particular, especially when he slid in to stop Giuiliano Simeone from scoring a tap-in at 0-0.
The England international made a whole host of crucial tackles in and around the box, even later into the game after Alexander Sorloth mishit a cutback into his path to sweep up the danger. Rice was handed the Player of the Match award and rightfully so as in his absence, Atletico Madrid may have levelled the contest.
Semi-final POTM: Declan Rice 🏆#UCL pic.twitter.com/mQgb335pBf
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 5, 2026
Gabriel Jesus claimed Rice “can do everything” and that was on full display against Atletico Madrid as he was terrific with the ball at his feet as well. The Europa Conference League winner sat in between the centre-backs and ran the show, as he was progressive and safe in equal measure.
Playing pinpoint crossfield switches, breaking the lines to feed the ball to Viktor Gyokeres and baiting Atletico Madrid’s press before finding his teammates, Rice’s passing was top-notch on Tuesday.
However, it is as a ball-carrier where he truly excelled, making perfectly-timed interceptions time and again before galloping into the opposition half to get Arsenal up the pitch. All in all, Rice’s masterclass was one that will be remembered for decades if the Gunners win the Champions League.
Declan Rice stats as Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid
Thierry Henry lauded Arsenal’s showing against Atletico Madrid as they stand four games away from potentially winning the Premier League and the Champions League.
Rice’s fingerprints will be all over the one-of-a-kind achievement in Arsenal’s history.
The statistics from his latest heroics emphasise why the midfielder had a game for the ages.
| Declan Rice vs Atletico Madrid | Statistics |
| Touches | 75 |
| Dribbled past | 0 |
| Duels won | 5/7 |
| Tackles | 4 |
| Passes completed | 56/62 |
| Passes into the final third | 8 |
| Chances created | 2 |
Defensively, Rice’s contributions are there for all to see against Atletico Madrid as he was not dribbled past even once while making four tackles and winning five out of seven contested duels.
However, even in possession, Arsenal’s number 41 completed 56 out of 62 passes, created two chances, played eight passes into the final third and took 75 touches.
