Arsenal will play Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final in what is set to be a European blockbuster.
Mikel Arteta will face arguably the greatest test of his managerial career after Arsenal qualified for the Champions League quarter-final.
The Gunners beat PSV Eindhoven over two legs with an aggregate score of 9-3, progressing to the final eight with ease.
What is next for the North Londoners isn’t as simple, as 15-time winners Real Madrid await in April, with the first leg to be played at the Emirates.
Spanish media reveal nickname for Arsenal ahead of Real Madrid clash
Despite Madrid being the Champions League holders and possessing one of the best squads in world football, there’s some confidence that Arsenal can overcome Real Madrid.
Arteta’s squad are not a side to underestimate and in this case, it’s impossible to ignore the history behind the fixture.
Arsenal and Real Madrid have met only twice in history, a Champions League round of 16 clash in the 2005/06 season, with an aggregate score of 1-0 coming from the two legs.
Thierry Henry famously scored at the Bernabeu to silence the Galacticos, which is a memory that those in Madrid are unable to forget.
In reaction to the quarter-final lineup, Spanish outlet AS reflected on the famous clash in 2006, coming up with a bold nickname for the Gunners ahead of the 2025 meeting.
“Arsenal, Madrid’s black beast,” the article was titled by journalist Pablo M. Fuentenebro, who shared his belief that the tie ‘bodes ill’ for Ancelotti and his players.
Henry was described as sounding Real Madrid’s ‘death knell’, with the result having a huge ripple effect in Spain as days after the round of 16 defeat, Florentino Perez resigned as president.
Upon returning to the role, Perez will have mixed feelings about the upcoming quarter-final tie, a contest that Arsenal are not necessarily considered the underdogs of.
Real Madrid’s vs Arsenal in the 2024/25 Champions League
Henry urged Arsenal to be confident against Real Madrid, reminiscing on the reaction to the tie when the round of 16 draw happened in 2006.
The Arsenal icon revealed that some in Spain ‘laughed’ at the Gunners’ chances against Madrid, which of course ended with those in N5 having the last laugh.
| Club | Played | Win | Draw | Loss |
| Real Madrid | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 |
| Arsenal | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
Aside from history in the fixture being kind to Arsenal, Arteta’s side can be confident for other reasons, as Real Madrid’s 2024/25 campaign has not been perfect.
Madrid had to qualify for the round of 16 via a two-leg knockout against Manchester City, whereas Arsenal qualified automatically, losing just once in the league phase.
It’s proof that for all of Los Blancos’ strengths, Ancelotti’s side are not unbeatable, giving Arteta hope ahead of what is set to be a thrilling quarter-final.
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