Paul Merson suffered an awkward wardrobe malfunction whilst celebrating Declan Rice's stunning free-kicks during Arsenal's 3-0 Champions League triumph over Real Madrid.
The incident occurred in the Sky Sports studio as Merson leapt to his feet in jubilation, causing his jumper to ride up and expose his stomach.
Arsenal dominated the quarter-final first-leg at the Emirates on Tuesday night, securing a commanding 3-0 victory against the Spanish giants.
Rice stole the show with two remarkable free-kicks, with Mikel Merino also finding the net for the Gunners.
Paul Merson suffered an awkward wardrobe malfunction whilst celebrating Declan Rice's stunning free-kicks during Arsenal's 3-0 Champions League triumph over Real Madrid
SKY/GETTY
The comprehensive win puts Arsenal on the verge of a semi-final against either Aston Villa or Paris Saint-Germain.
Rice's first free-kick came in the 58th minute, a long-range effort that found the back of the net with precision.
The England midfielder followed this up with an even more spectacular strike just 12 minutes later.
Standing at an angle reminiscent of set-piece specialist David Beckham, Rice curled a beautiful shot around Real Madrid's wall and into the far top corner.
What made these goals even more remarkable was that Rice had never scored a direct free-kick in his entire career before this match.
Paul Merson accidentally exposed his stomach while celebrating Declan Rice's goals in Arsenal's Champions League victory over Real Madrid
SKY
His two dead-ball strikes in quick succession left the Spanish champions reeling and the Emirates crowd in raptures.
Watching from the Sky Sports studio, Merson couldn't contain his excitement at Rice's second goal.
As he jumped up in celebration, his jumper rode up his body, revealing his stomach in an unplanned moment of enthusiasm.
The wardrobe malfunction didn't dampen his spirits as he delivered an animated reaction to the goal.
"What a goal, it's a phenomenal free kick, Rice Rice baby!" Merson exclaimed.
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He continued his praise: "What a goal, honestly, the first one was good, this one is better!"
"He's bent it, whipped it, beat Courtois from there, what a goal," the pundit added, clearly delighted by his former club's performance.
Arsenal are next in action against Brentford on Saturday (5.30pm).
While they're flying high in Europe, they look set to miss out on the Premier League title with Liverpool currently 11 points clear at the summit.
As for Real Madrid, they'll face Alaves in LaLiga on Sunday (3.15pm).
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Rice, meanwhile, was delighted after his heroics and admitted he would remember his brilliant brace for the rest of his life.
“I’m speechless, this has never happened to me before!” admitted the former West Ham star.
“This is the quarter-final and we know how much this night meant. It's a real historic night for the club. I'm so happy.
“They [his free-kicks] were really good. To be honest with you, I'm not used to all of this praise and media and just people saying how good the free-kicks were!
"The greatest night at the Emirates" ✨🏟️
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 8, 2025
Paul Merson reacts to Arsenal's sensational 3-0 victory over Real Madrid 🤩 pic.twitter.com/2bC3NO9d4O
"I've seen them back a few times now but I think I'll be up watching it all night. It's an incredible moment, I can't believe it.
"As soon as I hit the first one and it went in, I thought 'that's my first ever free kick!' And then I just had the confidence over the second one.
"I just thought, 'why not? What have I got to lose?' I was going to go over the wall and I thought: 'I've got the keeper's side, on a good one.' I've been practising that a lot.
"So, yeah, two went in and they're just magic moments. They're going to stay with me forever."
