Arsenal’s attentions are now firmly on their upcoming Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
Mikel Arteta’s side dropped more points in the Premier League with a 1-1 draw against Everton but Arsenal fans saw through Arteta’s selection for the game as five changes were made.
The likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were placed on the substitutes bench, with one eye no doubt on the huge Champions League quarter final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Real Madrid have received a boost ahead of the game with UEFA deciding not to ban a quartet of key players for the clash and Rio Ferdinand and Steve McManaman have agreed on the same thing ahead of the tie.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta issues important Mikel Merino injury update ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Real Madrid
Rio Ferdinand and Steve McManaman agree on Champions League prediction
Speaking to TNT Sports on the latest episode of the Breakdown, Ferdinand and McManaman have both predicted that the quarter final tie is already ‘done’ between the two sides.
Ferdinand stated: “At this level I don’t think you can be great one way and be one dimensional the way Arsenal are at the moment, you can’t be at the top level and go we’re just going to rely because we’re great defensively,
“You need to still have a threat like Atletico Madrid still have a threat when they go forward like Alvarez and Griezmann, Arsenal haven’t got that type without Saka especially and other players that aren’t in form.”
McManaman then pointed to the fact that the second leg is at the Bernabeu and the duo believe this will also be a huge determining factor in the outcome.
Ferdinand replied with: “Ah no it’s over. It’s Romeo done.”
McManaman then explained: “We’ve seen that over the last few years, second leg in Madrid, if they’re in the game after the first leg they will get it done at home.”
Arsenal can take confidence from Real Madrid defeat to Valencia
Arteta and his players will be using words such as Ferdinand’s as motivation to prove people wrong and can take heart from Real Madrid’s latest defeat in La Liga.
Valencia shocked the Bernabeu with a 2-1 victory, leaving Carlo Ancelotti’s side six points behind leaders Barcelona with eight games to play.
Arsenal fans praised Jakub Kiwior for his performance against Everton and the Gunners will need to be at their best defensively against the likes of Kylian Mbappe.
It has been proven that Madrid are not invincible though and the Gunners have more than enough to trouble the reigning European champions with a packed home crowd behind them.
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