Laying down what was a sensational European marker on Tuesday night time, Arsenal moved themselves to the cusp of the Champions League’s closing 4 as they cruised their method to a 3-0 romp towards Actual Madrid.
Whereas each camps may need largely edged one another out throughout the first-half, Mikel Arteta’s aspect got here flying out of the traps following the restart and made fairly the assertion in north London.
With Arsenal as soon as once more enjoying with out a longtime quantity 9, it was England worldwide Declan Rice who stole the entire headlines because the ex-West Ham skipper produced a pair of elegant free-kicks that have been separated by simply 12 minutes.
Backed by an emotional dwelling help on Tuesday night time, makeshift striker Mikel Merino despatched the Emirates crowd into overdrive as the previous Actual Sociedad ace swept dwelling within the closing quarter-hour.
Sat firmly within the driving seat and laying down a significant assertion of intent, Arteta’s camp will journey to Madrid subsequent week understanding that they’re on the cusp of Champions League historical past.
As for the defending champions, fully blown away after coming back from the half-time break, Los Blancos regarded fully dejected within the closing moments and their nightmare in north London was epitomised by Eduardo Camavinga’s late sending off.
In what was a well-known European night time from the Emirates, we’ve got taken a take a look at the principle speaking factors.
A press release win for the Gunners
Whereas Liverpool may need fallen to a shock 3-2 loss away at Fulham over the weekend, Arsenal have already accepted that their home title desires are firmly over for one more season.
Presently sat 11 factors adrift of the runaway leaders, it’s no secret that the Gunners have positioned all of their eggs within the European basket and Champions League success is their solely likelihood of claiming a bit of silverware in 2025.
Whereas Arsenal may need been bracing themselves for a heavyweight activity towards the defending European champions right here, Tuesday’s hosts laid down what was an iconic marker in north London.
Utterly dominating giant spells and unlucky to not have added to their three objectives, Arteta’s squad are firmly sat within the driving seat and will definitely be relishing an iconic journey to Madrid subsequent week.
Struggling only a single defeat on the Emirates throughout all competitions up to now this season, Tuesday’s efficiency definitely underlined Arsenal’s standing as a real Champions League contender over the subsequent couple of months.
The place now for Ancelotti?
Struggling last-gasp heartbreak at dwelling towards Valencia final weekend as they finally fell to a 2-1 loss within the Spanish capital, Actual Madrid have endured a pair of public blows over the previous few days.
Presently sat 4 factors adrift of arch-rivals La Liga on this season’s title chase, Carlo Ancelotti’s males discover their desires hanging by a thread and the strain on the previous AC Milan boss seems to be at a boiling level.
Utterly blown away when coming back from the half-time break and now in search of what could be one other astonishing Champions League comeback once they return to Madrid subsequent week, Tuesday’s visitors are set to face an enormous quantity of scrutiny once they return dwelling.
Regardless of extending on their Copa del Rey journey final week following a outstanding 5-4 combination win towards Actual Sociedad, Los Blancos have gained an actual popularity for his or her evident defensive struggles.
Regardless of marking their return from March’s worldwide break with an action-packed 3-2 victory towards Leganes, Ancelotti’s downbeat squad have shipped 11 objectives of their 4 appearances since coming back from the fortnight interval.
All eyes fall on the Bernabeu subsequent week
Not reaching the Champions League semi-finals since means again in 2009, Arsenal can be greater than conscious that probabilities won’t come any higher than this.
Storming their well beyond the defending champions and travelling to Madrid subsequent week holding a commanding three-goal benefit, Arteta’s squad have already got one foot firmly within the closing 4.
Touchdown a well-known 1-0 victory once they final travelled to the Bernabeu for a Champions League knockout stage showdown again in February 2006, Arsenal will definitely be relishing a long-awaited return to Madrid.
Already understanding that they’ll face the winner of PSG and Aston Villa subsequent month, there isn’t a doubt that Arteta and his backroom workers can be carefully watching Wednesday’s first-leg battle from Paris.
Match Report
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly
Subs: White, Tierney, Trossard
Actual Madrid: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga, Modric, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Subs: Diaz, Garcia, Vazquez
Targets: Rice (58’, 70’), Merino (75’)
Yellow Playing cards: Arsenal: Partey – Actual Madrid: Camavinga
Crimson Playing cards: Camavinga (90+4;)
Referee: Irfan Peljto
