Laying out the sensational European markers on Tuesday night, Arsenal moved to the Champions League Final Four Cusp.
Both camps may have largely been framed each other during the first half, but Mikel Arteta’s side jumped out of the trap after the restart, making a considerable statement in North London.
It was England International Declan Rice who stole all the headlines as Arsenal again played without a re-established number nine, and the former West Ham skipper produced a sublime free kick that was separated in just 12 minutes.
Supported by emotional home support on Tuesday night, makeshift striker Mikel Merino sent the Emirates crowd into overdrive.
Sitting firmly in the driver’s seat and putting down a statement of key intentions, Arteta’s camp will travel to Madrid next week.
As for the defending champion, the Los Blancos, who were completely blown away after returning from the halftime break, appear to be totally discouraged at the final moments, with the nightmare in north London being symbolized by the late send-off of Eduardo Cama Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Vi
It was a famous European night from Emirates and we’ve seen the main topics.
Gunner’s Statement Wins
Liverpool may have fallen into a 3-2 defeat at Fulham over the weekend, but Arsenal has already accepted that their domestic title dreams have ended firmly over another season.
Currently there is an 11-point drift of runaway leaders, but it is no secret that the gunners have placed all their eggs in European baskets.
Arsenal may have supported themselves for their heavyweight job against the defensive European champion here, but the host on Tuesday set out what became an iconic marker for North London.
It’s completely dominating a big spell and unfortunate that it’s not added to the three goals, Atteta’s team will sit firmly in the driver’s seat and will certainly enjoy next week’s iconic trip to Madrid.
Tuesday’s performance, struggling with a single defeat for the Emirates in all previous tournaments this season, highlights Arsenal’s position as a real Champions League contender for the coming months.
Where is Ancelotti located?
As they eventually fell into a 2-1 defeat in the Spanish capital, suffering from a final Gaspu heartbreak at home with Valencia, Real Madrid endured a pair of public blows in the past few days.
Currently, there is a four-point drift from archrival Laliga in this season’s title chase, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men finding dreams of hanging in thread, and the pressure on the former AC Milan boss appears to be at the boiling point.
In search of something that will be another amazing Champions League comeback when he returns from a halftime break and returns to Madrid next week, Tuesday’s guests will face enormous scrutiny when they return home.
The Los Blancos have gained a real reputation for their prominent defensive struggles despite expanding into the Copa del Rey adventure last week following a 5-4 overall victory over Real Sociedad.
Marking a return from an international break in March, Ancelotti’s downbeat team has shipped 11 goals in four appearances since returning from two-week intervals.
Next week, all eyes fall on the Bernabeu
Arsenal, who has not reached the 2009 Champions League semi-finals, knows their chances can’t be any better.
With the defending champions passing and traveling to Madrid next week to retain the three-goal advantage in the command, Arteta’s team is already solid one foot in the Final Four.
Arsenal, who won the famous 1-0 victory during his last trip to the Bernabeu for the Champions League knockout stage showdown in February 2006, will certainly enjoy his much-anticipated return to Madrid.
Already knowing he’d face the winners of PSG and Aston Villa next month, there’s no doubt that Arteta and his backroom staff will be closely watching the first battle from Paris on Wednesday.
Match Report
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly
submarine: White, Tierney, Trosad
real madrid: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga, Modric, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
submarine: Diaz, Garcia, Vasquez
the goal: Rice (58′, 70′), Merino (75′)
Yellow Card: Arsenal: Part – Real Madrid: Camabinga
Red card: Kamabinga (90+4;)
Judgment: Ilfa’s fear