Arsenal will hope to book their place in the Champions League semi-final, where Paris Saint-Germain await.
First, the Gunners will have to weather the storm waiting for them at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Arsenal secured a 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, taking a healthy lead to Spain.
Though Mikel Arteta’s side will be the more confident squad heading into the contest, Real Madrid are dreaming of a comeback.
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Luis Enrique shares Champions League semi-final preference
Arteta put Real Madrid’s remontada hopes on mute, with Arsenal firmly focused on the task at hand over 90 minutes in Spain.
After Tuesday night’s action at Villa Park, the Gunners know who their opponent will be if the job at the Bernabeu is completed, as PSG beat Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate.
PSG were tested on the night as Unai Emery’s squad took the tie to the wire, winning 3-2 in the second leg to reduce the Parisiens’ lead.
The former Gunners manager fell short in the end as PSG progressed, with Arsenal’s route to the Champions League final now decided.
Following PSG’s win, Luis Enrique was asked if he had a preference over who his side will face in the semi-final, Arsenal or Real Madrid.
“No, I don’t have any preference for the semi-final,” the PSG manager said.
“I’m just going to enjoy the match with dinner and a beer at home, and try to watch two matches at the same time.”
Enrique then insisted that regardless of whether his team will play Real Madrid or Arsenal, the semi-final would bring two ‘special matches’.
“We’ll see whether it’s an English team or a Spanish team waiting in the semi-final, but both of those would be really special matches.”
Arsenal eye reunion with PSG
The semi-final of the competition could see Arsenal reunite with PSG, whom they’ve already faced in this season’s Champions League.
In October, Arsenal beat PSG 2-0 at the Emirates, a night that saw the visitors dominate possession but the Gunners occupy the scoresheet.
PSG were slammed by French media after their defeat in N5, but now, Enrique’s side are operating at a different level.
From the arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to the finetuning of tactics, PSG are a force to be reckoned with, as seen when the French side beat Liverpool to progress to the quarter-final.
The semi-final could be a second showdown between Arsenal and PSG this season, but first, Real Madrid must be conquered.
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