Laying down what was a sensational European marker on Tuesday night time, Arsenal moved themselves to the cusp of the Champions League’s closing 4 as they cruised their technique to a 3-0 romp in opposition to Actual Madrid.
Whereas each camps may need largely edged one another out through the first-half, Mikel Arteta’s facet got here flying out of the traps following the restart and made fairly the assertion in north London.
With Arsenal as soon as once more enjoying with out a longtime quantity 9, it was England worldwide Declan Rice who stole all the headlines because the ex-West Ham skipper produced a pair of chic free-kicks that have been separated by simply 12 minutes.
Backed by an emotional house assist on Tuesday night time, makeshift striker Mikel Merino despatched the Emirates crowd into overdrive as the previous Actual Sociedad ace swept house within the closing quarter-hour.
Sat firmly within the driving seat and laying down a serious assertion of intent, Arteta’s camp will journey to Madrid subsequent week realizing that they’re on the cusp of Champions League historical past.
As for the defending champions, fully blown away after getting back from the half-time break, Los Blancos regarded fully dejected within the closing moments and their nightmare in north London was epitomised by Eduardo Camavinga’s late sending off.
In what was a well-known European night time from the Emirates, we’ve taken a take a look at the primary speaking factors.
An announcement win for the Gunners
Whereas Liverpool may need fallen to a shock 3-2 loss away at Fulham over the weekend, Arsenal have already accepted that their home title goals are firmly over for one more season.
Presently sat 11 factors adrift of the runaway leaders, it’s no secret that the Gunners have positioned all of their eggs within the European basket and Champions League success is their solely likelihood of claiming a chunk of silverware in 2025.
Whereas Arsenal may need been bracing themselves for a heavyweight process in opposition to the defending European champions right here, Tuesday’s hosts laid down what was an iconic marker in north London.
Utterly dominating massive spells and unlucky to not have added to their three objectives, Arteta’s squad are firmly sat within the driving seat and will definitely be relishing an iconic journey to Madrid subsequent week.
Struggling only a single defeat on the Emirates throughout all competitions thus far this season, Tuesday’s efficiency definitely underlined Arsenal’s standing as a real Champions League contender over the following couple of months.
The place now for Ancelotti?
Struggling last-gasp heartbreak at house in opposition to Valencia final weekend as they ultimately fell to a 2-1 loss within the Spanish capital, Actual Madrid have endured a pair of public blows over the previous few days.
Presently sat 4 factors adrift of arch-rivals La Liga on this season’s title chase, Carlo Ancelotti’s males discover their goals hanging by a thread and the strain on the previous AC Milan boss seems to be at a boiling level.
Utterly blown away when getting back from the half-time break and now in search of what could be one other astonishing Champions League comeback after they return to Madrid subsequent week, Tuesday’s company are set to face an enormous quantity of scrutiny after they return house.
Regardless of extending on their Copa del Rey journey final week following a exceptional 5-4 mixture win in opposition to Actual Sociedad, Los Blancos have gained an actual repute for his or her obtrusive defensive struggles.
Regardless of marking their return from March’s worldwide break with an action-packed 3-2 victory in opposition to Leganes, Ancelotti’s downbeat squad have shipped 11 objectives of their 4 appearances since getting back from the fortnight interval.
All eyes fall on the Bernabeu subsequent week
Not reaching the Champions League semi-finals since approach again in 2009, Arsenal will probably be greater than conscious that probabilities won’t come any higher than this.
Storming their well past the defending champions and travelling to Madrid subsequent week holding a commanding three-goal benefit, Arteta’s squad have already got one foot firmly within the closing 4.
Touchdown a well-known 1-0 victory after they final travelled to the Bernabeu for a Champions League knockout stage showdown again in February 2006, Arsenal will definitely be relishing a long-awaited return to Madrid.
Already realizing that they are going to face the winner of PSG and Aston Villa subsequent month, there is no such thing as a doubt that Arteta and his backroom employees will probably be intently watching Wednesday’s first-leg battle from Paris.
Match Report
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly
Subs: White, Tierney, Trossard
Actual Madrid: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga, Modric, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Subs: Diaz, Garcia, Vazquez
Objectives: Rice (58’, 70’), Merino (75’)
Yellow Playing cards: Arsenal: Partey – Actual Madrid: Camavinga
Pink Playing cards: Camavinga (90+4;)
Referee: Irfan Peljto