Former Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos sends vital message to Mikel Arteta ahead of Real Madrid clash

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Arsenal will come up against a familiar face in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final.

After Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the quarter-final, the Gunners rustled a few feathers ahead of the return at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

The idea of a sensational comeback is spoken about in Madrid, something Mikel Arteta’s side will aim to shoot down over 90 minutes. 

Carlo Ancelotti will make changes to his team following the heavy defeat at the Emirates, with one returning figure being former Gunner Dani Ceballos. 

• READ MORE: The shocking Real Madrid record that Arsenal could exploit in Champions League second leg

Dani Ceballos reveals Real Madrid plan ahead of Arsenal reunion 

Ceballos spent two years on loan at Arsenal, joining initially for the 2019/20 campaign before being re-signed by Arteta for the 2020/21 season. 

The Spaniard has been at Real Madrid for eight years, winning an array of titles in that time, including three Champions League medals.

Despite Ceballos being an admirer of Arteta and Arsenal, the midfielder is gunning for his fourth triumph in Europe, sending a warning to his former club ahead of Wednesday night’s second leg.

Speaking to the media ahead of the clash, Ceballos drew attention to Madrid’s plan to start the game rapidly.

“The first 15-20 minutes will be very important on Wednesday. We need to believe, our fans too, we need to believe together and let’s see,” he said.

Though everyone will expect Madrid to explode out of the blocks against the Gunners, Ceballos was sure to inform Arsenal himself of the plan to make the opening minutes count.

What Mikel Arteta has said about Ceballos

The central midfielder is eyeing more silverware to add to his collection, but first, he’ll have to hurt his former club. 

Ceballos won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2020 and was a player applauded by Arteta, who spoke glowingly about the Spaniard’s focus in training. 

“Dani Ceballos is a good example. He was injured and when he started to train I didn’t think he was fit enough,” Arteta said in February 2020 after Arsenal’s win over Newcastle United.

“He completely changed his behaviour and trained like an animal. I thought he was the best player on the pitch.”

Arteta will hope that Ceballos isn’t the best player on the pitch when Arsenal visit the Bernabeu, unless, of course, the scoreline remains in the Gunners’ favour.