Arsenal are preparing for the pressure that Real Madrid will put on them in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.
Talk of a sensational comeback is being uttered in Madrid, as Los Blancos look to turn the tie around in their favour.
It would be an almighty turnaround for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, considering that Arsenal will carry a three-goal lead to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid players are making noise ahead of the decisive second leg, emphasising the need for Arsenal to block out distraction, in what is set to be a cauldron atmosphere away from home.
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Thierry Henry admitted Arsenal sacrificed their playing style to beat Real Madrid
Having won 15 Champions Leagues in their history, Real Madrid are prepared to do anything to beat Arsenal.
Many in the competition will tell you that overcoming the North Londoners is easier said than done, as the Gunners boast one of the tournament’s best defensive records.
Arsenal will take pride in their defensive solidity at the Bernabeu, having conceded only six goals in 11 matches, compared to Madrid’s 20 in 13 matches.
Such is what is needed to beat the reigning champions over two legs, as Thierry Henry knows all too well.
After Arsenal beat Real Madrid in 2006, Henry revealed that the squad had to sacrifice their playing style to ensure they didn’t give the opposition a sniff on goal.
“At the end of the day 0-0, we went through, maybe not in an Arsenal way, but we are through.
“We know that we can do some great stuff, but we also have to defend well as a team, and we’ve done that.”
Henry acknowledged that Arsene Wenger’s side didn’t play the ‘Arsenal way’ in the return leg at Highbury, but once the one-goal lead was protected, the sacrifice became insignificant.
Mikel Arteta isn’t afraid to defend
Arteta will be relaying a similar message to his players at the Bernabeu, in that with a three-goal lead, keeping Madrid at arm’s length is all that’s needed.
Arsenal will have confidence ahead of the clash for that reason, as when eyeing the defensive improvement the Gunners have experienced under Arteta, there’s little to fear.
No Premier League team has conceded fewer goals than Arsenal this term, which has at times frustrated the opposition.
John Stones went on a scathing rant about Arsenal’s decision to protect their lead against Man City back in September, whereas in other instances, Arteta has been compared to Tony Pulis.
Arteta’s militant transformation at the Emirates has taken the Gunners to the next level, and now, the greatest test awaits the squad, who will be eager to showcase their superiority at the back.
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