Arteta’s Arsenal ready to crush Real Madrid’s comeback dreams | OneFootball

Arsenal eye the semi-finals as they take on Real Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League in Madrid. After registering an impressive 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium last Tuesday, Mikel Arteta's side will be riding high on confidence as they aim to take the team to their first semi-final in Europe's top competition since the 2008–09 season.

The Gunners’ preparation for the match followed a similar pattern as before the first leg. A week ago, they came into their match with Real Madrid after drawing 1-1 at Everton in the Premier League. Ahead of Wednesday's tie, they could only draw 1-1 with Brentford at home. Even though the result hampered their slim hope of the Premier League title, the focus will be on Europe at the end of the match.

Ben White missed the weekend’s match due to a knock. Meanwhile, Thomas Partey was substituted off due to feeling something off. However, both players were involved in training ahead of the match.

The star of the first leg for Arsenal, Declan Rice, who was taken off injured in that match, played the full 90 minutes on Saturday. Bukayo Saka, who won those two free-kicks Rice converted, was also taken off due to injury. He was brought on in the second half against Brentford, much to the delight of the home fans.

Real Madrid won their La Liga match on Sunday, unlike the previous week when they went into the first leg with a loss to Valencia in their league match. However, Eduardo Camavinga, the goalscorer of the weekend’s match against Deportiva Alaves, will be suspended for Wednesday's match after receiving a red card towards the end of the first leg.

The home side will be wary of the danger Mikel Arteta's side can provide. The last time Arsenal conceded more than two goals was against Luton Town in December 2023. That is the challenge the defending Champions League winners face as they attempt to overturn a deficit of 3-0 from the first leg.

After registering a draw and a loss in their first three away matches in the Champions League this season, Arsenal have been in scintillating form on the road. In their last three games, they have scored 13 goals, including seven in the Round of 16 first leg. With Real Madrid expected to be on the front foot, Arsenal will have opportunities to break with pace, especially through Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

Mikel Arteta will be aware of the challenge his team will have to face on Wednesday. However, his team did very well in the first leg with an exceptional performance. If they can keep their defense in shape, it will be difficult for any team in the world to breach their backline, and Arteta will be counting on his side to reach the final four.