Arsenal will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final with a spot in the final four of the competition at stake.
Arguably, there couldn’t have been a harder task for Arsenal to overcome in the Champions League quarter-final, with the holders awaiting Mikel Arteta’s squad.
While Carlo Ancelotti’s side are certainly the team to beat in Europe, those in Spain aren’t entirely confident ahead of the tie.
Arsenal are described as Real Madrid’s bogey team, given that Los Blancos are yet to beat the Gunners competitively.
Mikel Merino reveals what the Arsenal squad are asking ahead of Real Madrid
The thoughts on the tie have been shared by Spanish media but, what do those in North London think about the contest?
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino lifted the lid on the quarter-final, revealing what his teammates have been asking him ahead of the meeting.
Merino is one of several Arsenal players on international duty in March, where he was interviewed by the media about the Champions League tie.
“They ask me what the stadium is like, what the atmosphere is like, if the aura surrounding Real Madrid in the Champions League and their comebacks is true,” the midfielder said, via Onda Cero.
“Of course, when they’ve done it so many times, that’s the image people have of them,” Merino continued.
Arsenal’s summer signing went on to discuss the ‘favourites’ to win the Champions League this season, suggesting there are up to four primary contenders.
“Talking about favourites is very difficult because the Champions League shows you that the details make the difference.
“There are three or four teams that can be considered favourites, but you can’t just pick one.”
Merino’s record against Real Madrid
Merino revealed that the Arsenal squad are desperate to learn more about what it’s like to play Real Madrid, with only a handful of the group having such experience.
As well as the Spain international, Martin Odegaard is preparing himself for a return to the Bernabeu, having represented Los Blancos for six years.
Odegaard will go from being on Real Madrid’s side to facing the 15-time Champions League winners, a feeling Merino knows all too well.
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | Assists |
| 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
The summer signing has faced Real Madrid ten times in his career, sporting an encouraging record against the European giants.
Merino has won 40% of his games against Real Madrid and more impressively, has four goal contributions when facing them, scoring three times and assisting once.
Can Arteta’s makeshift striker add to his tally in the Champions League? Arsenal fans will certainly hope so.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
