Arsenal will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final after beating PSV Eindhoven in the round of 16.
The Gunners’ route to the final eight was a lot simpler than Real Madrid’s as Mikel Arteta’s side won 9-3 on aggregate.
Arsenal drew 2-2 with PSV in the second leg at the Emirates, enough to secure their place in the last eight, where the 15-time Champions League winners await.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side lost the second leg 1-0 to Atletico Madrid, forcing the tie to extra time and penalties, where Los Blancos won in controversial circumstances.
Regardless of how Madrid got the win, Arsenal will be licking their lips at the tie, in what is the greatest test Arteta’s squad could face in the quarter-final.
Arsenal fans react to Real Madrid Champions League tie
After booking a place in the quarter-final, everyone associated with Arsenal held their breath to wait to learn the outcome of the tie in Madrid.
Arsenal fans reacted on social media when the tie was settled on penalties, with some feeling confident and some, not so much.
“Arsenal vs Atletico would’ve finished 0-0 after penalties,” a supporter joked, reacting to Atletico Madrid’s stellar defensive work over two legs against the Galacticos.
A host of Arsenal fans were excited by the outcome of the quarter-final tie, already looking forward to the clash.
“Best defence in Europe v best attack in Europe. Let’s have it,” a fan said, with another emphasising the magnitude of the fixture.
“Big Real Madrid in the Champions League. This is what we’ve waited years for. BRING IT ON.”
“These are the levels. We belong here,” an Arsenal fan said of the upcoming spectacle, as another reminisced about Thierry Henry’s goal that silenced the Bernabeu in 2006.
“RUN IT BACK.”
Understandably, other fans were less confident regarding the quarter-final lineup, as one referenced the inevitability of Real Madrid in European competition.
“Something inevitable about Real Madrid and the Champions League.”
Another‘s concern wasn’t to do with Ancelotti’s side, but more with what Arsenal are lacking in comparison
“Merino 9 at the Santiago Bernabeu,” they said.
“I’m not shook,” a supporter insisted, sharing an image of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, who are about to face the greatest challenge of their Arsenal careers.
When is the Champions League quarter-final?
Though excitement is already building ahead of the tie, there’s some time to wait until Arsenal and Real Madrid meet over two legs.
The dates are not yet definite but, UEFA have confirmed that the quarter-final ties will take place on April 8th and 9th and then the following week on April 15th and 16th.
Arsenal will play the first leg at the Emirates, where they’ll hope to take an advantage to Madrid in their first visit to the Bernabeu since that famous night in 2006.
The Gunners emerged victorious over Los Blancos that year over two legs in the round of 16, can Arteta now repeat history?
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