Arsenal have one foot in the Champions League quarter-final after dismantling PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their round of 16 tie against the Dutch side.
On a spectacular night in the Netherlands, Arsenal thumped PSV 7-1, courtesy of a brace from Martin Odegaard and goals from Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori.
The Gunners produced a memorable performance that will ease the growing pressure on Mikel Arteta and his team ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
As long as they avoid a monumental defeat at the Emirates next week, Arsenal will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the next stage of Europe’s elite competition.
Arsenal fans have clear preference for Champions League quarter-final tie
Arsenal’s route to the Champions League final has already been mapped out, and a trip to Madrid awaits in the next round.
The Spanish capital derby remains in the balance heading into the second leg next week, with Real edging Atletico 2-1 in the first leg at the Bernabeu.
Goals from Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz negated Julian Alvarez exceptional strike, setting up for what could be a sensational return leg at the Metroploitano.
Despite the firepower that Real Madrid possess, Arsenal fans appear united in wanting to face Carlo Ancelotti’s men next.
Taking to X, one fan wrote: “Now that this time is done and dusted, who do we want? Real or Atletico? We may just keep Real’s attack out and get a goal or two past them but Atletico are the kind of team that we suffer against. But also, Real are Real. Sigh.”
Another added: “I speak for all Arsenal fans that we want to play this Real Madrid team. We go too beat them.”
Meanwhile, one supporter wrote: “I need Real Madrid to come outside. We just want to talk.”
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to be available for the quarter-final stage, something another fan noted in their consideration of who they want to face.
They wrote: “Arsenal will have both Martinelli and Saka available for the next important knockout fixture. I want Real Madrid.”
One supporter was concerned for the neutral, claiming a tie against Atletico would be difficult to watch.
They wrote: “We should hope Real go through. Watching paint dry will be more enjoyable than watching us try to break down a Simeone low block. Fans always say we have the best defence in Europe so that’s tit for tat against the best attack in Europe.”
Arsenal can beat Real Madrid
If anyone in Europe can overcome Real Madrid over two legs, it’s Arsenal.
The Gunners have the defensive quality to negate Los Blancos’ frightening array of forward options, and with Saka and Martinelli back, they have the ability to nick a goal or two.
In the group stage, Arsenal conceded just one open-play goal, while boasting the best underlying metrics in the competition.
| Champions League league phase 2024/25 defensive record | ||
| Team | Goals conceded | xG conceded |
| Inter Milan | 1 | 7.3 |
| Arsenal | 3 | 5.8 |
| Liverpool | 5 | 7.1 |
| Atalanta | 6 | 8.4 |
| Aston Villa | 6 | 9.3 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 7 | 8 |
| Juventus | 7 | 13.1 |
Ancelotti’s outfit is beatable if you are able to mute the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Rodrgyo and Vinicius Junior, and the Gunners are well-equipped to do so.
Atletico, on the other hand, would present a completely different type of problem and one that Arsenal would struggle to overcome.
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