Mikel Arteta avoids enjoying Jakub Kiwior when attainable however the Pole regarded astute towards Real Madrid – other than one second of insanity, writes ISAAN KHAN

The stardust from Real Madrid’s line-up glistened upon a quick glance at their team-sheet.

With Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham just a couple of the outstanding names among the Spanish giants’ artillery, the task for Arsenal’s backline was a mammoth one.

Particularly without Gabriel, their star defender this campaign who sustained a season-ending hamstring injury last week against Fulham.

Jakub Kiwior, who has made just three starts in 31 league games this season, took his spot, alongside the ever-impressive William Saliba, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jurrien Timber.

For a defence featuring a man who Mikel Arteta avoids playing, a teenager and a player who has had a few knocks of late, they did a solid job.

On the evidence of Tuesday night, despite the occasional sketchy moment, Arsenal are able to string a defence together just about strong enough to withstand Real in the second leg at the Bernabeu next Wednesday — particularly with their three-goal lead in tow.

Jakub Kiwior has made just three starts in 31 league games this season for Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has been reluctant to play him but threw him into the fire on Tuesday night

Mbappe blazed over when Kiwior mistimed a bouncing ball very early in the game

Declan Rice’s two stupendous free-kicks will rightly take the plaudits. His first on 58 minutes, curling the ball around the opposition wall, before adding a second 12 minutes later by picking out the top-right corner, were truly world class.

Yet, the Gunners’ defence deserves credit. It was Kiwior’s inclusion that had worried most Arsenal supporters. Arteta has been reluctant to play him and when he has, the Pole has often been partial to the odd clanger here and there.

His errant pass on 24 minutes put Mbappe through, who ended up offside and blazed the ball over, after a near mishap within the first minute when he mistimed the bouncing ball. Aside from this moment of madness, he played his part well and was astute in making sure he stayed in position.

Any slip of concentration or positional dysfunction would have been exploited. He grew into the game and by the second half, Kiwior on the ball was not causing nerves around the Emirates.

From there, even when Mbappe or Vinicius Jnr put the defence under pressure, the likes of Saliba were there on hand to face them up.

Kiwior has long been linked with a move away from the north London club, this summer seen as the right time by some. 

Maybe that too played an extra motivation for him in a performance which showed he does have qualities that can’t be discounted. Not that the chance to play Real Madrid wasn’t enough motivation, mind.

Each time either Mbappe or Vinicius Jnr got on the ball in space, danger could certainly be felt as they roamed forward at pace on the counter-attack.

Kiwior, (left), Jurrien Timber (right) and the defence had accomplished performances

Thomas Partey was incredibly solid in midfield and helped protect the defence

Both turned on the afterburners in spurts when space allowed and, when they did, their surges occasionally left three or four players in their wake.

It was why no matter how many Arsenal goals would arrive, the defence had a role more important than usual due to the sheer attacking threat in front of them.

Thomas Partey played his part, too, dropping back to mop up when required. The Ghanaian had a knack of finding himself in the right areas when needed to overwhelm the likes of Mbappe in numbers and put in strong tackles.

That balance was particularly needed against the knack and ability of both Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly to break forward.

Lewis-Skelly needs a mention, too. His growth from the first-team bench, to an England cap, to starting against Real is nothing short of extraordinary.

Myles Lewis-Skelly was sensational and so composed for a player of his age on the big stage

And on Tuesday night, he again showed a further acceleration in levels. He provided a number of sumptuous through ball, particularly in the first half, that either broke up play or set the Arsenal attackers through.

It was his ease on the ball and passing ability which bellied his tender age of 18.

All in all, it was job well done by the Arsenal defence. Another sterling display will be needed next week to secure a first Champions League semi-final spot since 2009.

They are certainly capable of it.