William Saliba is active against Bradley Barcola (pictured by Sean Botteril/Getty Images)
To step into the cauldron of the Bernabeu and silence it as they did. It was really noteworthy. In fact, on two legs, it was moring.
Arsenal Grounds dropped off Madrid and at the end they looked broken. They had no answer on Mikel Arteta’s side.
I thought the home leg victory was spectacular, but last night’s victory was a sign of a team that truly believes anyone can win anywhere.
All the talks on the game’s build were about Lemon Tada in Real Madrid, and it was hard not to be wiped out by it while you were there. There was real conviction about how Madrid players, fans and the media exaggerated everything.
They clearly thought they could do that. I don’t know if they really believe this relatively inexperienced Arsenal side can handle the pressure that comes with playing Madrid in the Bernabéu.
All the stories produced were intended to create doubt as they attempted to enter the hearts of Arsenal players. But there was no slight doubt in their minds as they stepped onto the pitch.
There was no complexity or nerves. Arsenal went into the tie thinking it was better than Madrid, as it became so clear that the game was wearing it.
It was a big statement to other parts of Europe.
The semi-final PSG could be a tougher test for Arsenal
The semi-finals will be extremely tough. One thing you can say about Madrid is that they are not in the best form. I can’t say anything about Paris Saint-Germain.
The French champions have enjoyed something amazing in 2025, and have already put out two Premier League teams that have taken the scalps of Liverpool and Aston Villa.
So Arsenal will know that he will take part in a very difficult tie on two legs.
It’s difficult to call as PSG has been playing well recently, but Arsenal swept them easily when both sides met in the league phase early in the season.
PSG is clearly a very different aspect. Ousmane Dembele was not involved in the night in October, so Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is brought from that game. The attack has transformed, and now its pace and movements are threatened ahead.
But they were physically dominated by the Emirates, especially that game in the middle. It gives Arsenal a lot of confidence as they start preparing for the club’s third Champions League semi-finals only.
I’m not going to say they’re my favorite.
But Arsenal knows they can now defeat people who are homes and away, and it’s a very good place.