Jude Bellingham has admitted that Real Madrid were fortunate to escape with only a 3-0 defeat in their Champions League clash against Arsenal last night. The Gunners produced a sensational second-half display to seize control of the quarter-final tie and leave the reigning European champions with a mountain to climb in the return leg.
The first half was an evenly matched affair, filled with end-to-end action as both teams looked to assert dominance. Despite the goalless scoreline at the break, Arsenal came closest to opening the scoring, forcing several top-class saves from Thibaut Courtois and threatening the Madrid goal on multiple occasions. The Spaniards were also fortunate to see two goal-line clearances keep the match level before half time.
Whatever Mikel Arteta said to his players during the interval clearly had the desired effect. Arsenal emerged from the dressing room with renewed intensity and broke the deadlock through a stunning free-kick from Declan Rice. The England international followed that up with a second set-piece strike, sending the Emirates into raptures. Mikel Merino added a third to cap off a commanding performance.
Bellingham, who watched as his side struggled to cope with Arsenal’s relentless pressure, pulled no punches in his assessment of Madrid’s performance. Speaking after the match, he acknowledged that his team were thoroughly outplayed and fortunate not to lose by a wider margin.
“I think we were nowhere near it, that’s the fact, and Arsenal were really good,” Bellingham said, as quoted by 90Mins. “I know two of their goals were free-kicks and really good individual bits of delivery, but to be honest they could have had way more, we were lucky to get away with three.”
The 21-year-old midfielder’s honesty reflects the scale of Madrid’s challenge heading into the second leg. Arsenal, meanwhile, will feel confident but not complacent, knowing that nothing can be taken for granted against a team with Madrid’s European pedigree.
Arsenal fans will rightly celebrate one of the club’s finest European nights in recent memory. But as the squad turns its focus towards the return fixture, the message will be clear: the job is not done yet.
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Besides the saves that Courtois made, Saka played two great balls into the box (one rolled right across the face of the goal), which should have been put away as well. If and when we sign that killer striker, those kinds of chances will be buried.
If Arsenal lift the champions league Arteta will become an Arsenal legend, his rate at Arsenal is second to none.
What do you mean his rate is second to none ?
As I understand it, the Spaniard has a better winning rate than his predecessors.
For example the legendary Arsne Wenger logs behind when it comes to getting a result 🙂
Wenger’s last 5 years were more successful then Arteta’s first ?
As I understand it Arteta took us out of Europe and to our worse league finish in quarter of a century ?
He would bit your hand off right now if he was offered to win half of what is on Mr Wenger’s CV
bite
Wenger may lag behind Arteta when it comes to winning rates.
But do you now want to compare Trophy cabinets🏆 between Wenger and Arteta, Gunsmoke?.
I know who’s record I prefer.👍😉
I want to be clear here, I love the legendary Frenchman and for what he has done for the club.
When it comes to winning games for Arsenal football club, the young Spaniard is second to none.
With that said, the trophies will trickle in, what Better place to start than the champions league
Don’t be surprised should the gaffer goes all the way with this Arsenal outfit
Your just saying the same thing in a different way
In terms of trophies for Arsenal Mr Wenger is second to none
Since Arteta first full season at Arsenal
8th , 5th , 2nd, 2nd and will be 2nd at best
Since Mr Wenger first full season at Arsenal
1st , 2nd , 2nd , 2nd , 1st
By not being humble your making Arteta look poor because your showcasing how littles he’s achieved
Gunsmoke,
I am not sure what you are basing your statements on, so would you mind sharing your statistics and how they have been calculated? My biggest bugbear, as Dan will know, is that you are being hypothetical; suggesting what will be, but based on what exactly?
I hope you notice Sue this is a counter argument to the likes of me when we are accused of being negative
We just want to enjoy last night and say well done without the need to have to put Arteta down
But we have to when silly statements are made
For example Merino did well last night but I wouldn’t then say ….he’s better then Henry lol
Okay SueP and Dan let’s enjoy last night, I will share the win rate of the gaffer in comparison with his predecessors after the second leg.
And when you do I’ll share the trophy count followed by a top 10 list of everything Mr Wenger did that Arteta hasn’t
I’ll look forward to seeing what you mean
He simply means he has a better winning percentage