Thomas Partey magnificent as Arsenal and fans become one to demolish Real Madrid 

Here's Ian Mills with the latest in his series Three Things We Learned after Arsenal steamrollered the mighty Real Madrid at the Emirates 

The Emirates stadium enjoyed its greatest ever night as Arsenal ruthlessly dismantled the Champions League holders and record winners by beating Real Madrid 3-0 on a never-to-be-forgotten evening in North London. 

Here are three things that stood out for Ian Mills: 

1 - Declan shows you get what you pay for

– when the former West Ham skipper moved from East to North London in the summer of 2023 there was plenty of sceptism about his record transfer fee.

After his incredible performance in this game few will still be questioning it today. He has shown he is a big game player and had already registered Premier League goals against the likes of Manchester United home and way, Chelsea and Luton away, as well as a brilliant effort in a return to his former club in his first campaign as a Gunner.

After a slow start to this season, his form has excelled since the New Year and after regularly displaying his prowess from corners, he has now proven his ability at free kicks with two of the very best in Champions League history.

He is a driven player with a seemingly infatigable engine and lifts players around him to give their best even without wearing our armband. He came to Arsenal to compete for and win major honours and the club signed him for exactly the same reason. It shows that sometimes you have to pay the most to get the best, and there are not many better in his position anywhere right now than our number 41.

A point I hope our board note when it comes to acquiring the attacking additions we are crying out for this summer.

2 - Thomas Partey magnificent as the team and fans become one

– everywhere you looked there were superb performances both on and off the pitch. David Raya was solid in goal, the back four were excellent while Thomas Partey renewed old acquaintances having faced the same opponents many times in the Madrid derby and was simply outstanding as he constantly nullified Real’s attacking threat.

Bukayo Saka was immense on his first start since December, and it was his driving runs that forced the fouls that led to both of Rice’s superb set pieces.

On a night when those of a Spanish persuasion who are not Madridistas would have enjoyed, it was our two Mikels who would have particularly loved this special night.

For Merino it was yet further evidence of his growing reputation in his forward role with a finish any fully fledged striker would be proud to call their own.

3 - MLS on the way to becoming the very best

– if Carlsberg did breakthrough seasons… Myles is having an outstanding campaign and starting as our first choice left back versus Champions League behemoths in the shape of Madrid must rank very near the top of an incredible list of impressive achievements in his debut season in the first team.

Playing out of position, with zero fear and supreme confidence in his own ability it is hard not to make comparisons with another former player who was a boyhood fan and broke through to the first eleven again playing out of position at left back and went onto become the greatest left back in Europe if not the world shining for both club and country.

We all sincerely hope Lewis-Skelly’s career remains at Arsenal a lot longer than Ashley Cole’s did. MLS appears humble (just ask Haaland) and grounded and has some superb people around him both at the club and in his family to ensure his meteoric rise is handled sensibly.

Given he has also been on the end of two horrendous referring decisions this campaign and is still performing at the level that he is, is further testament to his strength of character.