Out of habit, I watched the Gunners on TV on Wednesday night, but I couldn’t have been the only one switching channels to keep up with the Madrid Derby.
In the second half, I had one match on the television while streaming the other on my mobile phone. Around the same time PSV equalised for the second time at the Emirates, Vinícius Júnior blazed a penalty over the bar at the Metropolitano.
At the start of the evening, I was undecided about which Spanish giant I wanted to face in the quarter-finals. Given our lack of attacking options, we would be underdogs against either. Both clubs possess greater experience in knockout football but have contrasting styles.
Because of our struggles against low-block defences, I know some Gooners preferred Atlético to lose, given that Simeone is a master at organising his team into a disciplined, hard-to-break-down unit. However, the fact that I was pleased when Real failed to convert their penalty told me that, deep down, facing the European champions makes our path to the next round even more difficult.
As soon as the final whistle blew in North London, I focused on the extra-time period and penalty shootout in Spain.
There was a reason Atlético’s manager immediately urged his squad not to feel sorry for themselves after another European exit at the hands of their bitter rivals. He demanded his players hold their heads high and take a lap of honour around the pitch, almost insisting that the crowd acknowledge the effort they had given over 120 minutes.
He may have already been thinking about the title race, not wanting this result to affect their pursuit of La Liga (they are only a point behind Barcelona, whom they face on Sunday). Yet the Argentine was also aware that, once again, he had fallen victim to the fortune that Real Madrid always seems to have on these famous nights.
Having worked in the Spanish capital for 14 years, few are as qualified as the 54-year-old to attest that, no matter how many Galácticos their noisy neighbours boast, Real Madrid always seem to have luck on their side in this competition.
Perhaps Carlo Ancelotti keeps a horseshoe in the dressing room? Maybe the Bernabéu doorstep is swept daily? Instead of training for UEFA fixtures, do they meditate instead? Before travelling, do they burn incense?
Los Blancos are living proof that even the greatest teams need fate to be their ally. Yet you would think that, according to the law of averages, things would eventually even out.
However, when pushed to the limit last night, destiny once again protected them.
What were the odds that the shootout would be the one moment Álvarez slipped, meaning his converted penalty was disallowed because VAR confirmed he had touched the ball twice?
It was heartbreaking to watch some home fans unaware that they had just fallen behind in the shootout.
How unlucky was Llorente to send Courtois the wrong way, only to see his shot rattle the bar?
Then there was Oblak’s save—one that, nine times out of ten, would have been effective—yet this was the one occasion when the ball somehow squirmed under his grasp.
It almost felt as though Real Madrid’s name was already on the trophy.
Which, of course, it is—more than anyone else’s.
This competition is in their DNA, an obsession born from winning the first five editions. Since 1955, they have had a relationship with this trophy unlike any other club.
It makes them unique, as their success and failure are constantly measured by their performances in this tournament.
In the past, even domestic triumphs have been disregarded if they have underachieved in the Champions League. While most countries consider the league their ‘bread and butter,’ Florentino Pérez has been known to forgive managers for failing to lift La Liga—so long as they sit at the head of UEFA’s table.
There is a saying that great clubs make their own luck.
It cannot be a coincidence that a team that has lifted the trophy so many times keeps finding a way to survive.
That is culture. That is heritage. That is a spirit embedded in the corridors of their stadium—a mystique surrounding the famous white shirt, instilling the belief that nothing is over until the final whistle blows.
As is the tradition, this is yet another Champions League campaign where the masters started slowly but are improving with each passing round, peaking at the perfect time.
Under the new format, the holders finished 11th in the group stage. Three defeats meant they had to rely on the playoffs to reach the last 16.
Arsenal can take comfort in the fact that if Liverpool, Milan, and Lille can beat Real, why can’t we?
The answer, of course, is that they transform into a different beast when the final is within sight.
They possess an almost mythical ability to evolve into a version of themselves that, at times, seems flawed—until the defining moments arrive.
We are massive underdogs in April and cannot even hope for a slice of luck, as Real Madrid seems to own that.
Some of my peers suggested that the positive aspect of playing Real is that we will not have to worry about a low block, home or away. Both legs will be open, attacking contests.
The issue, however, is that while their offensive approach will leave us space to exploit, their attack consists of Mbappé, Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo.
Meanwhile, we have a midfielder playing as our striker and have resorted to using left-backs as attacking substitutes.
Saka’s injury has been so serious that it seems unrealistic to expect him to start both legs next month.
How many saves did Onana have to make on Sunday?
At the City Ground, was our possession converted into clear chances?
Did our sideways passing ever truly trouble West Ham?
In the Carabao Cup, Newcastle allowed us to have the ball, confident that we lacked the creativity to break through their defensive wall.
That same flaw knocked us out of the FA Cup.
With all due respect to those teams, this is an entirely different level.
This is football royalty.
We will have to be far more clinical than we have been this season.
Yet these are the moments we longed to be part of.
These are the occasions we missed for years—moments we once feared might never return.
So, Gooners, try to enjoy this.
An opportunity to make memories.
A step towards immortality.
A moment that will live forever.
Time for Arteta to make himself famous.
If Arteta can eliminate Madrid, my opinion of him will go up considerably.
To be honest, I do not fear big teams as it has been difficult for big clubs to beat us for some years now in each 90mins of play.
I don’t fear Madrid even though I know they have a higher chance of qualifying.
My only serious worry is our frontline coupled with our mentality.
Madrid are beatable, and I say that with confidence
Well said!
@dgr8xt
Beating Madrid to me, would only be half the battle won. It should and would be a tremendous boost to the Ladz confidence, which should and maybe would give them the taste for more. Meaning the CL trophy itself. And if Arteta were to pull that off, he would shut me and all of his critics up. RealTalk…
Well said dgr8xt!
I said this on another article, the chances of us going through (even if we did have a fully fit squad) are so, so slim!
But, with that said, I will support the team right to the end, you just never know!
It’s a lot about the teams that pitch up on the day.
COYG!
Glad we are playing Real and not Atletico for two main reasons, Atletico are masters of the low block which is something we don’t seem to be able to deal with, even when played by somewhat lesser opponents like Southampton, whereas Real play open attacking football and leave lots of space at the back for us to take advantage of. Hopefully Saka will be back for this.
I didn’t want to play Real because ….they have better Players then us lol
Real Madrid are indeed way more open than their Madrid rival, but they have world-class attackers who can open up our defense easily and convert the most difficult chances into goals
If Arteta can go past them without a real CF, that would be an achievement
We haven’t got or had a real CF for years. Artetas choice. And please don’t say Haverz or Jesus,
The goal productivities of Jesus and Havertz are quite good from the CF position
They are not striker and both have a poor goal to shot ratio. They are not strikers. Attackers but not strikers.
Real have better players and more importantly a better manager. Ironically one our board were going to sign but changed their mind to Arteta. The rest is history. A ” fully fit ” squad or not, Ancelotti is a far better manager.
Team selection will be vital ,particularly when it comes to containing the excellent Real Madrid wingers.I only hope our Manager has the sense to refrain from playing LMS at LB as he will be exposed for sure just as he was caught completely out of position for the first PSV goal.Given Arteta’s aversion to using KT in his proper position ,I hope he uses White and Timber at full back against the Spanish giants.Not unexpectedly ,White looked rusty yesterday but with more match practise I am sure he will sharpen up and become more assured.
Nice observation on LMS Grandad. The lad is tailored for midfield and he should be domiciled there moving forward.
M.A should just swallow his pride and play K.T as the L.b.This gives the team a proper balance on the left with an attacking edge.
Timber is best suited on the right, and he should be used as R.W rotating with Nwaneri as we wait for Saka now that White is available.
Absolutely Grandad. We absolutely have to start Timber (even though KT would be preferable) and White along with Martinelli and Saka helping out if we are going to have any reasonable chance of containing them. Partey will really need to be at his best as well.
Again our thought aligns.
The inverted system is obsessed with by playing the like of MLS and RC is one of reasons I genuinely feel we may not get past Madrid.
They’ll certainly exploit those spaces left by our inverting fullbacks affected. And that scares me.
*effectively
We couldn’t beat a weak Bayern over 2 legs last season.
It will be a big miracle to beat Madrid over 2 legs.
But football is unpredictable so anything can happen and the stars might just align for our favour.
I will be so happy if we progress to the semifinal next month.
Hopefully nobody will get injured and Saka comes back on time, fit and firing.
I know times have changed and things are different now.
But if history is to repeat itself then we will knock Madrid out because we have always beaten them the few times we have met them in the past.
If we played 1 match we would have a chance but over 2 legs it’s really really tough
But anything is possible
With our attack affected by injuries and so thin, Arsenal have to defend really well. We have have to set up to defend, that’s our strength currently and this Madrid attack is not so great as a unit. Saliba and Gabriel are both used to Mbappe, Vinicius and Rodrigo. I repeat Defense is our only chance in this fixture.
Good read Dan, one of optimism and the usual doubts intertwined.
I’m very positive about our chances over the two legs, especially as we’re at home first.
The Emirates will be up for this, as I suspect the PL title will be done and dusted by then.
I expect the club to plan something special for the supporters to show, such as scarves or flags and “North London Forever” should be heard by the fans who support that club from Middlesex!!
As for the strength of the players, I believe Madrid would be interested in at least three of our players – Saka, Saliba and Raya.
On the flip side, we have shown interest in Raph(?) and Mbappe, but I wouldn’t want to to look any further to be honest with you.
I believe our defence is better and our midfield on par (Odegaard has a point to prove) and it’s only our injuries up front that cause me a problem.
Let the battle commence!!
I would take Valverde all day long! Beast of a player.
It’ll be interesting, because I think we defend better than any other top team, but it’s goals that win games, and Real have so much attacking quality.
Let’s pray we can at least get Saka back for the 2nd leg.
It’s an interesting tie, we have it in us to knock em out. They can get chaotic all they want but they don’t know adversity, they don’t know what it’s like to get way down beyond standard and rise up again, they don’t know what it feels like picking oneself up after missing out on titles in the most unlucky fashion. We are the Arsenal, we’ve been through it all, and I’m confident that and the quality we possess will see us to through. COYG!!!
If we beat Real given the current circumstances, I think this would go down as one of greatest CL shocks of all time.
We are a minnow in European competition even compared to a team like Sevilla, let alone the giants like: Bayern, Real, Liverpool, Milan, etc. On top of that, we don’t even have a striker, or our best attacker available!
I am really looking forward to it as it’ll be a stress free experience. No expectations. We’re the massive underdogs. Let’s see what we can do!
My line up against Chelsea on Sunday-
Trossard.
Martinelli. Odegaard. Nwaneri.
Rice. Partey.
Skelly. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
I sincerely hope Arteta sees the light and does not play MLS at LB where he is a weak link.The lad is a midfielder, and defensively he lacks awareness and positional sense.The prospect of him facing Rodrigo of Real fills me with concern with a penalty or red card waiting to happen.
Tierney is rusty due to previous injuries and lack of regular match play so he can’t mark Rodrygo either.
Calafiori is not the best at defending one on one against good wingers.
Zinchenko is not good at defending one on one either.
Tuchel has picked hom as a LB for England.
Him.
Agree Grandad. Against RM it could be very bad.
We’ll start the game as big underdog which considering our own lack of success and our opponent almost mythical reputation in the CL is fair. Yes we can beat them, we can beat any team on a good day that’s how good we are as a team. But to beat them over 2 legs will require an immense physical and mental effort, going blow for blow with them and blocking their superhuman filmlike revival when in trouble.
Our tactical system and defensive quality can strangle Madrid immense attacking quality but can our attackers be clinical enough to take advantage of it. Madrid have some bad periods during games, You need to be clinical to kill them off because even you are ahead the moment momentum starts shifting they will swarm you
until you crack under that pressure.
We haven’t really shown that clinical quality apart from the City or PSV game.
Saka return could also be the gamechanger, i believe he should be available on the 1st April but how much match fit is the question?
Here’s a thought, with both the men’s and women’s teams being drawn against Real Madrid in their respective Champions League draws. Why don’t we do a swap.
The Arsenal men playing the Real Madrid women.
And the Arsenal women playing the Real Madrid men.😉👍
Good idea but if they were smart both Arsenal and RM men would lose. 🤣
Mbappe.
Vinicius. Bellingham. Saka.
Valverde. Partey.
Mendy. Rudiger. Saliba. Timber.
Cortoius.
Dan
I think your post summed up how most of us feel about facing Real Madrid. Positivity and anxiety standing side by side.
RM do have that almost mythical ability to turn what should have been adversity into strength and their European history is unrivalled & not without a sprinkling of luck (which we all need). Playing City at their most vulnerable in years springs to mind.
I see no point trying to guess team selection as it’s some weeks away and anything can happen in between times. I believe that Skelly is included in Tuchel’s squad so a lot depends on all our international players staying fit.
I have enjoyed the format of the CL this year but should it be tweaked in future? Finishing top of the league in the first stages to then come up against PSG didn’t seem like much of a reward for Liverpool
Excellent, article. The author is a gifted writer. I’m getting even more excited for the game after reading it.
This sort of game is why you want to be playing in the CL. Looking forward to the occasion, the night & to hear those uefa tones ring out around the Emirates stadium yet again. Do we have a Thierry Henry who will score a remarkable goal, not even close. But do we have a team who aren’t going to get rolled over easily like in years gone by. Yes, they will fight hArd, which is why I’m more excited about this clash than any arsenal CL game since 2006.