Time for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal to answer the one big question mark over them

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Evening Standard

·16 de abril de 2025

Time for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal to answer the one big question mark over them

Real Madrid showdown at the Bernabeu is perfect chance for Gunners to silence doubts over their mentality

Arteta’s Arsenal could come of age in the Bernabeu on Wednesday night

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Arsenal FC via Getty Images

After producing fireworks last week, Arsenal need cool heads in the Bernabeu.

If it was anyone but Real Madrid, you would argue this Champions League quarter-final tie is already over after their 3-0 win in the first leg.

But talk of another famous Real Madrid comeback began almost immediately after the final whistle at Emirates Stadium and it has only ramped up since then.

“Comeback has been the most repeated word in the dressing room. I’ve heard it a million times,” said Jude Bellingham on Tuesday. “It’s a night made for Real Madrid.”

Real Madrid’s confidence is down to their formidable history in the Champions League and their uncanny knack of finding a way to win, even when the odds are stacked against them.

Arsenal face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, leading 3-0 from the first leg

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

History is not on their side this time, though. There have been 47 instances of a team taking a lead of three or more goals into the second leg of a Champions League tie and on only four occasions has that margin been overturned.

Arsenal’s 3-0 win last week was also the 12th time an English side has won by three or more goals in the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie. On each of the 11 previous occasions, the Premier League team went through.

The Gunners have also had a three-goal cushion after the first leg of a European tie 13 times - and they have progressed every time.

“We have to prove it now in this context,” said Mikel Arteta. “And that’s the beauty of it. That’s the challenge and that’s the great thing about sport.

“That we’ve shown that we are capable of doing it, that has to give us reassurance and confidence that we can do it. And now, let’s talk on the pitch and do it on the pitch.”

The challenge for Arsenal is to manage the occasion and the pressure on them.

A week ago, they played with a freedom born out of the fact they were viewed as underdogs.

Arteta’s Arsenal are bidding to avoid another historic Real Madrid comeback

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Now Arteta’s side are clear favourites and, as much as everyone is talking about a famous Real Madrid comeback, going out would be an infamous Arsenal collapse. The last time the Gunners lost by a four-goal margin was November 2021.

They have come a long way since that chastening defeat at Anfield and this current side has far more steel about it.

December 2023 was the last time they conceded three goals in a match. You have to go all the way back to the Europa League final in 2019 for the last time they shipped three in a European game.

But Arsenal are yet to get over the line in a title race or win a major trophy since the FA Cup five years ago.

Question marks still linger about their mentality on the biggest stage and it is why a night like this is the perfect chance to silence the doubters.

Arsenal don’t need to blow Real Madrid away, they did that in the first leg. Instead, a controlled and disciplined performance is required.

That is easier said than done in what should be a raucous atmosphere. Ancelotti has told his side to play with “their head, heart and balls” - and undoubtedly Real will come flying out the blocks.

The first half an hour feels crucial for both sides. An early goal will have everyone at the Bernabeu believing the comeback really is on, while Arsenal will be fearing the worst.

How Arteta approaches the game is fascinating. Arsenal have shown they are capable of completely shutting a game down if needed, as they did at the Etihad earlier this season.

Martin Odegaard will captain Arsenal at the Bernabeu

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Down to 10 men, the Gunners had just 12.5 per cent of the possession in the second and almost secured a famous victory until a late John Stones goal snatched City a 2-2 draw.

Arteta could follow that blueprint against Real Madrid, but has vowed that his side will go on the attack and aim to become the first English team to win at the Bernabeu twice.

“The mindset to win, to be brave, to be dominant, to be determined and to have the conviction that we can be better than them and win the game,” said Arteta.

Arsenal shaded possession in the first leg and would back themselves to control the midfield again, especially as Thomas Partey is fit after shaking off a knock from the weekend.

Real Madrid will be boosted by the return of Aurelien Tchouameni, who was suspended for the first leg, and he will give them greater physicality in the middle of the park.

Arsenal earned praise for their three goals in the first leg - and the fact they managed 11 shots on target - but their defence was equally impressive.

Jurrien Timber did an outstanding job of shutting down Vinicius Junior, who failed to complete a single dribble, and he will need to do similar this time.

Myles Lewis-Skelly was a contender for man of the match last week, but he will be tested like never before at the Bernabeu.

Jakub Kiwior, who will play inside Lewis-Skelly at centre-back, also faces the biggest night of his career against Kylian Mbappe - who has a point to prove after a quiet first leg and being sent off in La Liga at the weekend.

“He is hurt, disappointed by what happened,” said Ancelotti. “We need his goals.”