Morning all.
Mikel Arteta asked for the fans to be inside The Emirates early, he asked for them to be heard – they didn’t disappoint. North London Forever could be heard loud, no doubt sang with pride. This was a big night for Arsenal Football Club, a big night for the players and fans.
Opponents don’t come much bigger than the two Spanish Clubs and last night, Arsenal faced one of them. Mikel Arteta was up against one of the old and wise managers in Carlo Ancelotti, the players against the mighty Real Madrid, current holders of the Champions League crown. It was either going to be a night to forget or a night to remember for a long long time.
I thought we were capable of winning as long as we were really strong defensively but I certainly didn’t expect to see this group of players totally outplay their opponents.
Not one player disappointed last night in my opinion. I thought David Raya was excellent in goal, catching anything which came his way. Courtois was excellent too and only his saves and a couple of defensive clearances off the line, prevented Mikel Arteta’s team from walking off the pitch with a 5 or 6 goal advantage.
I could go through each player, raving about how good they were but it’s a team sport and as a team, Arsenal were at their best. I include Mikel Arteta and coaches as part of The Arsenal team.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say it was a game of two halves because I thought we were excellent from the first whistle but Real Madrid did get past our defence a couple of times in the first half whereas in the second half, we were much more disciplined.
During the first half, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel were getting balls into the box but frustratingly, there was no one to make them count. Just before the break, Jurrien Timber knocked a cross into the box, Declan Rice headed towards goal, Courtois palmed the ball into the feet of Martinelli and he belted a shot on target but the big keeper stood tall to deny us taking the lead.
0-0 at half-time, so who would take control of the second half? The answer – Mikel Arteta’s men!
Just before the hour mark, Bukayo Saka shifted the ball from right to left before being hacked down outside the Real penalty area. Declan Rice hit a sweet strike which curled around the defensive wall before curling back in and past Courtois. Wow, just wow!
Courtois saved a shot from Martinelli. Merino’s follow up was blocked on the line by Alaba and then Courtois was in action again, tipping another effort over the bar. From the resulting corner, Bellingham was called into defensive action, clearing a shot from Declan Rice off the line. How we didn’t double our lead through that period of the game I don’t know but it certainly wasn’t through the lack of trying.
Then came another foul on Bukayo Saka which resulted in another free kick awarded to Arsenal just outside the penalty area. Could he do it again? You bet he could. Another absolute brilliant strike into the top right hand corner of the net. Courtois had no chance. No goalkeeper in the world would have in my opinion.
Our third was different but a great goal in its own right. Myles Lewis-Skelly played the ball to Mikel Merino just inside the box – the Spaniard struck it first time and what a wonderful strike it was too. Another curler which was too good for Courtois.
3-0 up and Mikel Arteta made changes. Leandro Trossard replaced Bukayo Saka, Kieran Tierney came on for Declan Rice, a change which saw Myles Lewis-Skelly switch to midfield and lastly, Ben White replaced Jurrien Timber.
Real Madrid were beaten, their night summed up when having already been booked, Camavinga was booked again for kicking the ball away. Off he went.
When the final whistle blew, The Emirates erupted. I don’t think many, if any Arsenal fans had left the stadium early.
Mikel Arteta:
I’m very proud, we had a very complete and big performance collectively and you need that in the organisation and what we had to do to dominate the game and to create Madrid problems. This night is about all two factors, one is the atmosphere that we created 15 minutes before kick-off is something I haven’t seen before, so playing with that energy, with that commitment with your crowd makes a huge difference. And then magic moments, individual moments that decide all matches and the first two goals of Declan sums up the night.
Declan Rice was awarded the man of the match and rightly so for his two stunning goals and a top notch performance to go with it but in truth, the win was about a team performance and my goodness, it was good. No, it was brilliant.
If there’s the slightest of chance Thomas Partey could stay in north London for another season, I hope Arsenal can make it happen. As a man in a scruffy old raincoat used to say, just one more thing – it was great to see Andrea Berta on the pitch at the end, celebrating like he’d been at Arsenal for a lot longer than he has….
It’s only half-time in this tie but going to the Bernabeu with a 3 goal lead, isn’t a bad position to be in……..
Catch up in the comments.
Very enjoyable reading the match report Rico.
It was a perfect performance from everyone. But while everyone is raving about Rice we must not forget the defensive department made of Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, MLS and Partey.
Partey dictated the tempo and asserted himself on the flow of the game. He was very intelligent with positioning and his distribution. Saliba was flawless in his decision making and composure on the ball. If RM want him it should not be less than 250M. Timber keeps standing out game after game. he is very consistent and sharp. Kiwior was very alert, physically commanding and very composed on the ball. he read game with precision, making key interceptions, and staying one step ahead in every duel. And lastly MLS was simply a beast. Even when Tierney came on for Rice he was very commanding and played with an understanding of the rhythm of the game and every duel he faced, he met it head, with confidence, physicality, and calmness under pressure.
The defence has locked down everywhere. Fingers crossed they stay fit, White and Calafiori improve in their fitness.
Morning Rico and all. by all reports that I read we out played them.
Just why I said team rather than individuals Devil because I thought every player was exceptional. Odegaard struggled a bit to begin with I think but overall, the performance was one of the best I’ve seen for a long time.
Morning Geoff, we did. If you get the chance, a replay is certainly worth watching.
Awesome, well said very good team performance Rico. Btw, could someone tell Timber the game is over, he can take Vinny Jr., out of his pocket now.
Fantastic performance,fantastic result. I thought everyone was very good,special mentions for MLS,Partey,Raya and of course Rice.
The tie isn’t over though,numerous times they looked dangerous on the break.
We have won in Madrid before,I’m sure we will look to keep things tight,if we score 1 they have to get 5 though,so we have to be favourites.
We have played our best football in the Champions league this season so maybe we can dream…
Ha ha Obi, I like that re Timber..
Agree Limey, we’ve been excellent in the CL. A total contrast to the PL which probably says more about a number of PL clubs than it does us. We’re better against better opponents who give the game a go.
The one thing we know is that Real will give us chances in Spain.
Just watch some highlight on YouTube, I thought 3 nil was a great win, they lucky we didn’t score more, Rice’s goals were great to watch
Awesome night watching a very confident and great Arsenal team batter RM. I can see them going to RM with the same confidence to get us into the Semi.
I know RM can be dangerous on their home turf, but they will have to score 4 without us scoring to win this. I don’t think the guys and Arteta are going to let this happen.
Brentford now. I can see a win but only just.
Well written Rico.
At half time and nil nil, although we had moved the ball well and passed it accurately I couldn’t see us scoring against a well marshalled defence and an excellent goal keeper.
However, as the second half got underway it became apparent that some of the Real Madrid players were becoming fatigued a fact highlighted by the tired challenge by Modric on Saka which resulted in the first of Declan Rice”s two superb free kicks. By the time the score reached 3 – 0 many of the Real players were on their last legs.
That first half of possession, running and passing by Arsenal paid off as it had emptied the Real tank.
Can we expect a repeat performance next week? I sincerely hope so.
That’s my thought process too. As good as attack Real have, I’m not sure we’ll concede four without scoring ourselves.
Thanks Cicero. Courtino was incredibly good but then he always has been.
I can see Arteta resting a number of players for Brentford, similar to what he did last weekend.
I agree with you there Rico, White to start and play for sixty minutes, to be replaced with Timber. Maybe similar with Nwaneri starting on the right and being replaced by Saka after an hour or vice versa.
I don’t think there is any need to rest Myles Lewis-Skelly, he’ll be up for every last minute and Arteta will need a very large hook to get him off. 😉
I like your headline Rico, Real battered like a haddock fillet down the chippy! 😁
I must have missed Berta celebrating on the pitch Rico, great post btw, but as an ex-Atletico man it figures, it must have meant a lot to him after all those years coming second fiddle to Real.
Odegaard must have been very happy as well.
It gives us breathing space in Madrid because they’ll be coming at us hard, but then again we’re at our best when we’re being attacked so it could make for an intriguing end-to-end battle. Odegaard scoring in the Bernabeu must be a recurring dream for our captain.
Now to rest our main performers at Brentford a la Everton last weekend.
Time for the squad players to step up at the Griffin Park, as it was.
I think I’d go with Tierney Cicero at LB, definitely White at RB, Saliba could do with time out but we’ve no real other options.
I was thinking veggie sausage Cicero 😉
Thanks Kev, it was a quick glimpse before going to a break. Unless my eyes deceived me of course… 😝
Just reading that 5th place in the Premier league is guaranteed a Champions Champions league place next season.
Does that mean that some other league will lose a C L place to create the space Wavy? Otherwise, the Champions League will just get bigger and bigger with even more games to be played with the inevitable increase in fatigue injuries. Bigger squads all round for those clubs who can afford it.
Cicero. two leagues get an extra place each year, decided by that Nation’s euro comp teams performances.
Also I assume the league still gets 2 europa league and 1 conference place. Looking at the league table that’s a lot of clubs could get into Europe.
As for Champions league,Liverpool and Arsenal look certain,maybe Forest and Newcastle. For the other spot I’d like to see Brighton or Bournemouth. More likely Chelsea or Man City,would be funny to see them in Europa.
Have to love Merse…
https://www.skysports.com/football/video/11095/13344744/paul-merson-reacts-to-arsenal-midfielder-declan-rices-free-kick-stunner-against-real-madrid
I’ve a feeling Newcastle and Villa will push into the top five.
Villa 1-0 up, totally against the run of play.
1-1…
3 – 1 final score. Villa have a lot to do next Tuesday.
Do you think they’ll overturn the result Cicero?
Good afternoon Rico and all
I think its up to Arsenal, Barcelona and PSG to lose their commanding leads. Those defeated will not win unless those three decide not to turn up for the return games. their leads are too commanding. Arsenal are 3-0 up, Barca 4-0, PSG 3-1. So unless these three have a brain fart they will go through.
Inter vs Bayern is balanced. just 2-1 to Inter. Away goals dont count so there is all to play for. Personally I prefer Bayern….Inter are like you are playing against a team in the lower EPL …….. 5 at the back, three in the middle, 1 advanced and a CF. They simply park the bus.
Afternoon Devil.
I don’t who wins what as long as we get past Real Madrid. 😜
No game from there on will be easy..
Good morning
no game is ever easy, as we all have seen throughout this season. But I love it when games are difficult. It keeps the players’ feet on the ground and not let it go to their heads. what is needed and important is that Arteta rotates, something which he hasn’t done a lot and has been forced to do so due to suspensions and injuries.
I guess most of us were dreading Kiwior against Real. However, he was very good, against Everton as well. There is a good defender in there. I guess if he rotated with Saliba and Gabi much more it would have been better for him and for us. Players need match practice
Morning Devil.
I agree re Kiwior, he is a good player and he was excellent against Real Madrid. Hope he is again on Wednesday. It’s a shame Arteta hasn’t used him that often, perhaps if he had, Gabriel would still be fit. We’ll never know of course.
New post up.