Declan Rice reveals David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard's reactions to his rise to Arsenal set-piece specialist

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Arsenal's UEFA Champions League quarter-final win over Real Madrid in the 2024/25 campaign was not only one of the finest performances from a British club in Europe, it also saw the birth of a new set-piece specialist. Declan Rice scored two incredible first-leg free-kicks for Mikel Arteta's side, which saw David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard reach out to the Arsenal midfielder.

'I had that many messages' - Rice on the likes of Beckham, Lampard reaching out after Madrid heroics

Video credit: TNT Sports

Declan Rice has certainly become Arsenal's set-piece specialist - and one special night against Real Madrid means he will be for some time.

The England midfielder scored two stunning free-kicks against Los Blancos in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in April at Emirates Stadium in what was a truly incredible contribution from one player in the much-hyped showdown.

It made people sit up and take notice of an unexpected string being added to the bow of a player who has fast become one of the game’s most accomplished and respected midfielders, both for Arsenal and for England at the international level.

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Rice admitted that he was surprised at his new-found position as a dead-ball extraordinaire, as he exclusively explained to Arsenal fans Alex and Dan for TNT Sports as part of the Connected series of interviews.

"It’s crazy because I didn’t come here to be a set-piece taker, but it's something the manager sees in me and the set-piece coach sees in me," Rice said ahead of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League clash with Olympiacos, which is live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ from 19:00 UK time on Wednesday, October 1.

"I feel like they had more belief in me than I had in myself taking them. The more I started to take them and get more confident with it, I realised I could do what they want.

"I’ve been really consistent with my deliveries, and obviously, now where we’ve scored so much, it gets so much traction.

"I’m happy I’ve been getting assists, because that feeling for me as well, for helping out my team, is really special."

The goals against Madrid have been shown over and over again on television and swept up millions of views on social media.

They also caught the eye of some of the best free-kick takers of all time.

"I think [David] Beckham messaged me, but I had that many messages," Rice said. "Old England legends, all of them, like Frank Lampard, [Steven] Gerrard, so many people."

In the extended interview, Rice also discussed how young players like Max Dowman are made to feel comfortable in the dressing room, how remarkable it is that he can play in the Premier League and still be at school, and also the importance of speaking up about your mental health.

"Obviously, Max is only 15, just going to be turning 16 in December," Rice said. "I’ve never seen a 15-year-old so comfortable around the first team, it’s insane. They actually are just kids.

"Even me as a 15-year-old, going into West Ham’s first team dressing room, I would no way have been as confident as he was.

"I would’ve been quiet in the corner. Unless someone spoke to me, I wouldn’t have spoken to them, whereas I feel like now, Max especially, he’s just so confident in himself and his ability.

"The support network here is incredible and I’ve seen the academy - the way they work, it’s insane."

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