Arsenal will know that they can not yet celebrate a place in the Champions League semi final despite a remarkable 3-0 first leg victory over Real Madrid.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were instrumental in the Gunners first leg thrashing of Carlo Ancelotti’s side as their pace and trickery caused all sorts of problems for the Madrid defence.
Jude Bellingham claims Real Madrid were ‘lucky’ that they did not concede more as Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the chances in the second half only to be thwarted by Thibaut Courtois and some goal line clearances.
Lucas Vazquez praised Arsenal’s press as the European giants simply had no answer to the power and precision of their opponents and now the holders have to make their own Champions League history in order to progress.
Real Madrid have never overturned a three goal deficit in the Champions League
Arsenal will be fully aware that the tie is far from over and that at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid can produce some majestic displays that can be hard to stop.
However, should the 15 time champions of Europe progress into the semi final, they would have to achieve something that they have never managed in their illustrious history.
Real Madrid have never overcome a deficit of more than two goals after a first leg defeat and given their performance at the Emirates Stadium, it would take some turn around in Spain.
Their biggest deficit over turned was back in the 2015-16 campaign when after a 2-0 defeat to Wolfsburg, Cristiano Ronaldo netted a hat trick to win 3-0 on the night and ensure progression into the semi finals.
What Carlo Ancelotti said after Real Madrid’s defeat to Arsenal
You do not become European champions for a record 15 times without having resilience and the ability to overcome adversity and the Gunners now have to guard against the wounded animal in Real Madrid.
Speaking to Amazon Prime Video’s post match coverage of Arsenal’s victory over Real Madrid, Ancelotti has refused to rule his side out in the second leg.
When asked about the three goal deficit, Ancelotti stated: “There is always a first time, you have to try, the only thing I can do and we can do altogether is to try. We will try.”
Thierry Henry sent a message to Kylian Mbappe before the clash at the Emirates by asking the French striker to keep quiet in the game.
It worked on the night for the Gunners but Arteta will be only too aware of the threat that he and others will pose in the second leg as Arsenal look to defend for their lives.
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