Arsenal showcased their credentials in European football with an emphatic 7-1 victory against PSV in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 yesterday. The result highlighted the Gunners’ strength on the continental stage, marking their return to this phase of the competition for the first time since finishing in the top eight of the league stage.
Before the clash, the Gunners had struggled in their domestic fixtures, with disappointing performances against West Ham and Nottingham Forest. This led to uncertainty among their fans about how the team would fare on the European stage. However, Arsenal proved their doubters wrong with an impressive and dominant display in the Netherlands, showing they are truly one of the teams to watch in this season’s Champions League.
With almost one foot in the quarter-finals, Arsenal now face a challenging road to the final. Their next potential opponents are Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid, two of the toughest teams in European football, ensuring that the Gunners’ path to the ultimate prize remains a difficult one.
Despite the tough competition ahead, Arsenal’s performance against PSV has sparked talk of their potential to win the Champions League this season. It’s difficult to predict which team will come out on top, as the competition remains wide open, but Arsenal’s talent and momentum could see them go far.
Should they go on to lift the trophy, it would be a significant achievement for Mikel Arteta, further cementing his status as one of the top managers in Europe. Arteta has already proven his tactical acumen and leadership, but a Champions League victory would solidify his legacy and elevate him to the very top of European football. The Gunners’ boss is certainly on the right track, and winning the UCL would be a dream come true for both him and the club.
ADMIN COMMENT
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The 7- 1 win doesn’t make us favorites to win anything but it definitely goes a long way in keeping Arsenal in contention as a dark horse. As I mentioned a month or so, we have the defence to hold the fort for long periods of a game and opportunists up front ( although a shrinking pool)to snare a goal. We just needs some of the luck we have had go against us this season to turn, not to forgetting better tactical nous from the manager. I think that at around 14 to 1 we would be worth a small flutter, although as the rip off artists promoting the sports betting companies are forced to say, ” gamble carefully”. As someone who hasn’t laid a bet in forty years, I’m going to abstain.
I think we have a very small chance to win EPL, as long as we meet Real Madrid and PSG
Arsenal would likely struggle to open up Atletico Madrid’s cagey defense, so it would be better to play against a highly-attacking team like Real Madrid
I think I agree. I told my friend I’ll prefer meeting Real Madrid as they don’t have a solid defence while I trust our defense to hold off their attack.
Athletico uses black magic to play football. I don’t want to meet them.
Simeone’s ultra-defensive tactics do look like black magic 😁 because they’ve been stabilizing Atletico Madrid’s performance despite the negative football style
I dont see a scenario where we essentially have to outscore Real Madrid. Espescially not happening when the 2nd leg is at the Bernabea. I dont know know nobody ever learns their lesson about underestimating Real Madrid when they win this competition every other year, and Atleti have never won it. Any player would rather go up against a tight defense than deal with Vini, Mbappe, Bellingham, Rodryo all running at you. Unlike other European sides they’ll just punish you in an instant.
Also you’re assuming Real Madrid also don’t have good defenders when they definitely do. And they’ve won plenty of UCL ties sitting back for the majority of matches, and playing counterattacking football. There’s just no way Real Madrid are the preferred team.
Positive, positive, positive. Good Work Martin. Its the trophy that has always aluded us. But dare to dream.
We have a chance and need luck too.
Liverpool were on the ropes last night until almost the final whistle and were lucky to finish with 11 men on the pitch.
It’s seemed to me that LP has been on the ropes in so many games this season only to be blessed with the desired result. Lucky entirely due to luck of the draw or making their own luck? Probably a little of both.
Can’t argue with that BB.
Don’t let’s get carried away with ourselves. We’re hardly likely to meet another team as open as PSV, and who will be absolutely inviting us to rack up a score.
Someone said that Arsenal were 3rd in the preliminary stage as they had a simple draw. Really? And now we are being told that at this stage, they face a lowly PSV. PSV who eliminated Juve. If they eliminate whichever of the Madrid team, what will be said? I am optimistic that will be the case.
I sincerely hope that at some point when Saka is back we can have a front 3 of Trossad/ Martinelli, Nwaneri and Saka, with Nwaneri as CF or false nine.
A Madrid we are always in the tie
Real would blow us away