Arsenal’s second-half performance against Real Madrid on Tuesday was one for the ages.
Indeed, the Gunners put three goals past Madrid in the second 45 at the Emirates on Tuesday as they all-but secured their place in the Champions League semi-finals.
Declan Rice took the plaudits on the day, but Mikel Merino also scored in this crucial Champions League clash.
Merino was excited to face Madrid, and he made the most of his opportunity here.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, Merino has been discussing Arsenal’s second-half showing against Madrid, and he shared what the squad were speaking about at half-time during the game.
According to Merino, there was a lot of chat in the dressing room about keeping up the pace and the tempo in the second-half, something that Arsenal did brilliantly.
What Arsenal’s squad spoke about at half-time
Merino shared what the Arsenal squad spoke about at half-time during this game.
The midfielder says that there was a lot of half-time chat about keeping the pace and the tempo up against Madrid.
Merino then described the second-half performance as ‘amazing’.
“We were talking in the dressing room about keeping the pace and tempo, obviously with the help of the crowd on our side. The second half was amazing, we played with full gas from the side. When this side plays like that the crowd go with us,” Merino said.
Real Madrid’s home record this season
As Merino says, the crowd was behind Arsenal in the second-half against Real Madrid on Tuesday, and that willed them over the line.
However, the job isn’t done just yet as Arsenal need to go to the Bernabeu and hold onto their lead.
Of course, heading to Madrid is never an easy task, but Los Blancos’ home record this season is far from perfect.
| Real Madrid home record this season | |
| Games | 24 |
| Wins | 19 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Goals | 67 |
| Goals conceded | 31 |
| Goals per game | 2.8 |
| Goals conceded per game | 1.3 |
Madrid will need to have the crowd behind them in the second-leg the same way Arsenal did at the Emirates, but, even then, it may not be enough.
A three-goal deficit heading into the second-leg is huge, and, from here, Arsenal are very much the favourites to get over the line and through to the final four in the Champions League.
Who knows? Perhaps this could be the year Arsenal finally win the Champions League.
