Real Madrid will pose Arsenal a huge test despite the first leg of the quarter-final clash in the Champions League being played at the Emirates Stadium.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men are the kings of Europe’s elite competition and the odds are stacked against Mikel Arteta as his Gunners side only made a long-awaited return to the tournament last season.
However, the Champions League tends to be full of surprises and Arsenal will be hoping that they can stun Real Madrid with a performance for the ages on Tuesday.
Arsenal’s players are excited about facing Real Madrid, which is the outlook they need to have to able to topple them instead of wilting under the pressure even before the game has kicked off.
Rio Ferdinand was quizzed about his thoughts on the clash.
Rio Ferdinand predicts Real Madrid to beat Arsenal in Champions League quarter-final
Rio Ferdinand won the Champions League with Manchester United in 2008 and as a result, his gut feeling about Arsenal’s chances of beating Real Madrid over two legs is worth its weight in gold.
Los Blancos have superstars galore to spearhead them towards a win, with Mikel Merino describing Rodrygo Goes as “very complete” ahead of the tie as well.
Thierry Henry thinks Arsenal can defeat Real Madrid and having led the North Londoners to a famous win against the Spanish giants in 2006, his words should motivate the hosts ahead of their blockbuster meeting.
However, Rio Ferdinand told TNT Sports that he would be “surprised” if Arsenal trump Real Madrid in a Champions League tie over two legs: “It’s a winnable tie, I think cup football means that it’s winnable. I think if it’s a one game, knockout game, I’d give Arsenal more of a chance. The fact that it’s over two legs and I think…where’s the first game being played?”
When discovering Arsenal will host Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg, Rio Ferdinand replied: “That’s not good so Arsenal have to stay in that game. If they can stay in that game and be in touch going to the Bernabeu, they have a chance still. But if there’s a two-goal lead and they’re going to the Bernabeu, game over. But well, I’ll be surprised if Arsenal go through this tie.”
Thierry Henry has already told Arsenal how to defeat Real Madrid
The North Londoners will know that heading into the contest, they are the overwhelming underdogs.
Los Merengues’ record in Europe speaks for itself and they have proven time and again that it is naive to write them off despite their form over a season as they turn up when the lights shine bright.
However, Thierry Henry broke down Arsenal’s win against Real Madrid in 2006 by emphasising that being fearless was the key to their famous triumph.
“As soon as we are not scared to play good football, we can do it and at the back, we were tremendous What some of the young players did at their age at the Bernabeu was amazing. We have only won one game and we have to stay calm and focused.”
If Arsenal follow Henry’s instructions from 19 years ago against Real Madrid, they can prove Real Madrid and the rest of their sceptics wrong.
