How Arsenal players reacted to Real Madrid win and Julian Alvarez penalty controversy | OneFootball

Gunners learned their Champions League quarter-final opponents in the dressing room at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal set up a Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid after seeing off PSV

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Oleksandr Zinchenko says Arsenal are relishing the prospect of a Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.

Arsenal will face record 15-time winner Real Madrid in the quarter-finals next month.

The Gunners set up a clash with the Spanish giants after drawing 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, a result which meant they went through their last-16 tie 9-3 on aggregate.

And Zinchenko, who scored in the second leg against PSV, says the Arsenal squad are excited by the chance to go toe to toe with Real Madrid.

“It is going to be an amazing experience for all of us, for the club as well,” he said.

Arsenal drew 2-2 with PSV on Wednesday to go through 9-3 on aggregate

AFP via Getty Images

“Obviously, what can I say, to face one of the best teams in the world, with that much experience and world-class players, is always nice. We are all looking forward to it.”

Real Madrid set up a clash with Arsenal after beating their rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties on Wednesday.

Zinchenko and the rest of the Arsenal squad watched the shootout in the dressing room at Emirates Stadium after their game with PSV and he admitted there were mixed emotions.

“How can you cheer? It was a mixed feeling, because to be honest Atletico have been unlucky with that Julian Alvarez penalty,” he said.

Julian Alvarez’s penalty for Atletico in the shootout against Real Madrid was ruled out after he was judged to have touched the ball twice as he slipped

REUTERS

“No one said anything. It was just mixed emotions, because to play against Real or Atletico, they are both amazing clubs.”

Arsenal were knocked out at the quarter-final stage last season, losing to Bayern Munich, but Zinchenko believes the squad have learned from defeat ahead of their meeting with Real.

“I think in this competition, especially at this stage, you cannot be relaxed even for one second - because, honestly, the level and demands from all the teams at this stage is so high.

“If you are relaxed, even for a bit, they can punish you. This is what we should learn from the past. I think we have got this experience already, so let’s see how it works.

“The only thing I can say is to play against these kinds of teams, like Real Madrid, you just need to show the best performance of your life. This is the demands at this level.”

Zinchenko has painful memories of the Bernabeu as he was part of the Manchester City team that were knocked out in the semi-finals there after late goals from Rodrgyo and then a Karim Benzema penalty in extra-time.

“Don’t remind me of that game,” said the Ukrainian. “We conceded, I think, two goals in the last seconds from Rodrygo and it was not the nicest experience.

“But, it is what it is. I was not happy with the result, but this experience I hope can help me for the future.”