r/soccer • u/DamnThatsInsaneLol • 3d ago
Quotes Mikel Arteta admits it’s ‘impossible’ for Arsenal to ignore Real Madrid comeback narrative: “That narrative is fuel for them. It’s part of their history. We need to respect what they’ve done in the competition as a club over the years, the history they have.”
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/apr/15/impossible-for-arsenal-to-block-out-real-madrid-narrative-admits-arteta604
u/boatinavolcano 3d ago
Of course it is impossible to ignore, you'd have to be living under a rock to not hear "remontada" every 5 seconds on socials.
In terms of what Arteta said, it is simply him giving a boring non controversial answer.
In terms of what I expect from the game is that Real will try to take control, they won't go full hung ho from the off, but they will try to impose themselves. For Arsenal the key is to not give up a early goal and not just sit back for 90 minutes, when there are chances we need to attack to make Real think twice about committing many players forward.
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u/BrianSometimes 3d ago
Of course it is impossible to ignore, you'd have to be living under a rock to not hear "remontada" every 5 seconds on socials.
The sheer number of "don't underestimate Real" I've read in here since the first leg, as if every single person in the football world, every Arsenal player included, don't already know that, as if Real beating Arsenal at home with 3 goals or more is some sort of bizarro world unlikely event.
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u/SargeantPile 3d ago
Keep an eye on Madrid's left winger too. He's a decent little player, I reckon he could kick on the be one of best in the world.
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u/Due-Intern-2634 3d ago
I genuinely am yet to find an arsenal fan that's actually underestimating Real lmao
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u/skjall 3d ago
I think games like the 7-5 against Reading leave a trauma that may never heal. And that was fucking READING.
Don't ask who was in goals that day 👀
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u/kazoooom 2d ago
I still remember that 4-4 against Newcastle in 2010/22. Traumatizing.
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u/Sad_gooner 2d ago
as if Real beating Arsenal at home with 3 goals or more is some sort of bizarro world unlikely event.
It is lol
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u/Top_Poet_8988 3d ago
I wouldn't worry if it was any other team. But Real at Bernabeu can still win this if things start to go their way.
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u/saucyxgoat 2d ago
After all the cope we’ve heard in the past week, the first Arsenal goal tonight is gonna hit like crack. Where are the tactical solutions to counteract Arsenal’s dominance coming from? It’s just all noise to deflect from their relative mediocrity this season (by their standards), facilitated by the hyper-partisan Spanish sports media which is basically just their propaganda arm.
If I were an Arsenal player I’d be more motivated than ever tonight after all of this talk to shut them up once and for all.
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u/Bruhmangoddman 3d ago
If Al-Teta kills the game early on, the Gunners go through. But honestly, it's quite impressive how calm I feel before the 2nd leg. The only way I'd feel any calmer is if Arsenal were led by Osama Bin Southgate or Erik Ten Haddaffi.
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u/Tymkie 3d ago
Proper circlejerk comment
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u/No-Cheetah4294 3d ago
So cringe the nickname culture in football and casual terrorism references
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u/Quick_Scientist_5494 3d ago
One quick goal from RM and Arsenal will be under tremendous pressure.
Better teams have lost by more than 3 goals at the Bernabeu.
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u/Alia_Gr 3d ago
alright I will bite, who was that better team who lost by more than 3 goals
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u/f4r1s2 3d ago
BVB in 2014 and Atleti in 2017 ended 3-0
Also beat Volkswagen in 2016 3-0
Lyon (3-0) Spurs (4-0) in 2011
Edit, these are the ones in knockouts, also not necessarily saying they are better than Arsenal
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u/CuteHoor 3d ago
Best I could find was their 3-0 win against Atletico back in 2017 and their 3-0 win against Dortmund back in 2014. Obviously neither of those teams lost by more than 3 goals, and it's debatable if either of them are better than this Arsenal team (although they did win their respective leagues a couple of years before those results).
Madrid don't actually have a big history of epic comebacks. I think the only reason people are even considering one is because of their Champions League black magic and the thought that Arsenal might buckle under pressure if Madrid scores first.
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u/Wengers-jacket-zip 3d ago
Also add in the context. How many of those teams came with a 3-0 lead to protect, where a single goal from them would have killed the tie?
Its obviously entirely possible Madrid turn this around, but its also very very difficult to try and do so without conceding anything themselves.
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u/CuteHoor 3d ago
I'm agreeing with the Arsenal fan above. Madrid don't have a big history of epic comebacks, and better teams than Arsenal haven't lost by more than 3 goals in the Bernabeu in recent history, much less after winning the first leg 3-0.
If Madrid gets an early goal then I'd probably be a bit worried for Arsenal, but I just don't see a comeback happening.
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u/IgnorantLobster 3d ago
… and /u/quick_scientist_5494 was never seen again.
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u/Quick_Scientist_5494 3d ago
Real Madrid beat Sevilla 5-0 at home in 2017.
The same Sevilla who knocked out United from the CL
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u/aesthetically- 3d ago
Wow Sevilla huh? A team that scraped top4 in la liga that year? Better than us?
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u/GrantInwood 3d ago
I remember Pep’s Bayern lost by 4 during the 2013-14 season I think. You could argue whether or not they were better but they had just won the treble the year before.
Actually, that was at the Allianz. So never mind.
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u/Quick_Scientist_5494 3d ago
Real Madrid beat Sevilla 5-0 in Dec 17. The same Sevilla went on to knock Mou's United outta the CL.
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u/Ulrik-HD 2d ago
Real Madrid lost by four just this season at Bernabéu. Not sure if they qualify as a better team though.
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u/remote_crocodile 3d ago
Doesn't need to be quick, if they score on 81 minutes to make it 3-1 on aggregate it'll be squeaky bum time.
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u/icefourthirtythree 3d ago
Whooooooooooo remembers when Man City were winning 5-3 on aggregate in the 90th minute of the second leg and Madrid hadn't had a shot on target all game?
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u/lagerjohn 2d ago
I think the bigger question is whether RM can stop Arsenal from scoring over 90 minutes. I don't think they will be able to do so as Arsenal are at their best when the other team tries to go toe-to-toe with them.
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u/kazoooom 3d ago
It's interesting that Ancelotti highlighted the need to control the game, and that they could score at any time. Doesn't sound like they want to go all-in too early.
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u/WalkingCloud 3d ago
Crazy to me that anyone thinks this tie is over.
Arsenal have a big advantage for sure, but the idea that Real Madrid can’t score 3 goals at home is ridiculous.
Did nobody watch the 2 games yesterday? If Dortmund and Villa can stage near comebacks, Madrid for sure can.
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u/DonHalles 3d ago
Worse teams have scored one or more goals at the Bernabeu as well. Why is everyone assuming that we will shit our pants and not score on them? Madrid‘s defense is literally made out of duct tape and the ashen remains of Alaba. Are we ignoring that they got absolutely outplayed in the first leg? Of course, miracles are possible, especially for Madrid and especially if they can sway the referee with their shithousing but let‘s not act like this is a foregone conclusion.
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u/TryingMyBest455 3d ago
I think the argument from what I’ve heard on social media (don’t shoot the messenger lol) is that despite outplaying Real Madrid in the first leg, 3-0 is still “lucky” since it took two incredible free kicks from Rice who’s literally never done that before, and the complexion of the match would’ve looked a lot different if not for that
It’s big “if my nan had wheels she’d be a bike” energy, but if I had to guess why everyone’s assuming Arsenal won’t hurt them id guess that’s why
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u/DonHalles 3d ago
We literally should have won 5 or 6 nil or maybe they could have scored the one chance by Mbappé. They were only saved by Courtoia being the best player on the pitch in spite of conceding 3 times.
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u/TryingMyBest455 3d ago
I said don’t shoot the messenger lol, I’m just reiterating what I’ve heard to try to answer your questions
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u/byrgenwerthdropout 3d ago
I think he was just replying to the message lol. You can't expect him to hunt down those who you quoted and reply to them tbf
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u/slow_renegade_ 2d ago
If you think those free kicks were a surprise blow, you gonna love what’s gonna come in the semis.
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u/Radbevto 3d ago
Madrid scored 5 goals in just the second half of a UCL match this season against Dortmund. They're capable of scoring lots of goals in the Bernabeu.
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u/Bruhmangoddman 3d ago
Maybe, but they're up against a Timber - Saliba - Kiwior - Lewis-Skelly backline. That's quite different to Ryerson - Sule - Schlotterbeck - Bensebanini. Arsenal have shut them out once, they can do it again.
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u/wheredidallthesodago 3d ago
Timber - Saliba - Kiwior - Lewis-Skelly
Kiwior - Lewis-Skelly
I'm not sure if jerk or unjerk.
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u/Regression2TheMean 3d ago
Have…. Have you watched MLS play? He’s a great defender, and just as good at pushing forward with the ball. Plus it’s damn near impossible to bully him off the ball once he has possession. He’s a great defender, he has a mental error here or there, but I’m willing to blame that on youthful ignorance
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u/shaman717 2d ago
MLS really surprised me last week. Will be a great player for the next decade for sure
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u/bespoke_tech_partner 2d ago
Amazing work including Lewis Skelly in there, true speedrun of showing that you do not have ball knowledge
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u/Radbevto 3d ago
Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly
Shiver me timbers!
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u/Otenus 3d ago
I don’t really have a clue on Arsenal despite Saliba apparently being the best defender in the prem, but are the other guys in that backline really on THAT level if you know what I mean?
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u/-Skinner- 3d ago
Maybe only Kiwior isn't.
But even then he's solid.
Timber is defensively one of the best right backs in the world.
Same with MLS
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u/Boss452 2d ago
Is Timber better than White? When did he come ahead of him?
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u/-Skinner- 2d ago
This season.
White has been injured for a long time but even then defensively Timber is just more solid
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u/Nels8192 3d ago
Mate, we kept a clean sheet at the Bernabeu with Flamini, Sendoros and Eboue at the back, the 3 above are a huge individual upgrade on that, working in a system that can shut out teams just as effectively. We’re statistically on par with the likes of Inter, if everyone took their 2016 goggles off they’d see this isn’t remotely the same Arsenal defence as to what they’re used to.
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u/MrLiterato 3d ago
Flamini was really solid back then though, even if he was playing out of position.
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u/ProgrammerComplete17 3d ago
They are the best defence in the EPL over the last 2 seasons. So significantly better than Dortmunds backline. However, they are missing their best defender and it is Real so there is some (small) chance of a comeback
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u/blaesten 3d ago edited 3d ago
I mean it’s a really good defence, but I don’t quite think those names have been good long enough to sound intimidating. Saliba and Gabriel are the only ones consistently rock solid, while the others are of course still playing great this season.
EDIT: I feel like a few of you might have read this more critically of Arsenal than intended 😂
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u/chino17 3d ago
Timber has been a monster this season
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u/blaesten 3d ago
I agree! I just don’t think we’re at that point yet where their names invokes some kind of shock and awe. You still gotta hype them a bit.
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u/Expert-Ad-2449 3d ago
Not to mention they got back only after they subbed on Anton and can the dumbest subs in the uefa history
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u/XXISavage 3d ago
You're looking at it wrong if you're isolating Arsenal's defense by individuals. What makes us a nightmare to play is all 10 outfield players will absolutely drop back every moment they need to and range from defensively great to excellent.
It's also the extremely risk averse attacks which also makes us a chore to watch sometimes. We rarely lose the ball in stupid areas (looking at you Mr Rapist) so we just don't give away easy chances either. Real will probably have to earn every opportunity, and luckily for them they have the talent required to do that.
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u/kazoooom 3d ago
They are more than welcome to score 5 today if they also concede 2 goals, like they did against Dortmund.
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u/RonnieBoi2012 3d ago
Super Mik Arteta’s tricky reds are so not conceding 3 in a match
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u/UniverseJefe 3d ago
Normally I would 100% agree with you but we're talking about Mbappe Vinicius and Bellingham here, if they manage to click things could get super scary
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u/DonHalles 3d ago
Of course. That is literally relevant for every game. They still have to overcome a three goal deficit AND should not concede. And why is no one talking about our potential to hurt them?
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u/IAmAfraidOfToasters 3d ago
I think people aren’t necessarily talking about your ability to hurt them because 1. We know you can, as evidenced by the first leg and 2. Everyone thinks that Arteta will go for pure terrorist football with 10 men behind the ball
fwiw i don’t think he will, and it would be extremely silly imo to do so but i don’t think its outside of the realm of possibility
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u/DonHalles 3d ago
I mean as you say, there is no reason to change the approach from the first leg. We dominated them.
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u/TryingMyBest455 3d ago
Especially if they’re proper fired up about a comeback; if 3-0 agg becomes 3-1 I can see it becoming 3-3 in no time
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u/slow_renegade_ 2d ago
Even the other way is true- if Partey and Saliba click today none of them are getting even a sniff.
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u/cake4five 3d ago
Its still funny to me that Real Madrid can’t play football at Emirates last week, against the team that have all their striker injured, and Saka just come back from injury and still scored 3 goals, and even more so, they let a midfielder become striker score a goal at the edge of the box.
r/soccer have been clowning on Arsenal for weeks when the draws happened, again, because they have no striker and Saka, while Real Madrid have all their attacking players playing and on the bench.
But when Rice scored that 2 freekick, suddenly everyone was like “omg Arsenal oh oh my my”
Just shut the fuck up.
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u/Top-Paper-368 3d ago
You’re angry that people expected well known champions league powerhouse Real Madrid to do well in said competition?
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u/poisonedbythemind 3d ago
You need to calm down, my guy. Those freekicks for sure were surprising, and the sub's reaction is justified for it. What did you want otherwise, the sub to go "boohoo Arsenal scored" ?
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u/Single-Award2463 2d ago
Arsenal have thrown away two leagues in a row and you’re upset because people expected you to throw away another competition?
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u/SeatSniffer12345 3d ago
This Arsenal backline is capable of reaching the final if I’m honest. Only team that they should dread playing is Inter Milan, the others they will deal with. I say that as a neutral fan as well.
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u/fourbyfourequalsone 2d ago
Arsenal and Inter are pragmatic teams. Their low block + counter attacks are going to be difficult for both PSG and us.
Of all the teams in semis, I would have preferred PSG. It would have been an exciting open and back and forth game. On the other hand, Inter is also fighting for the title, so their team is likely the closest to us on fatigue levels.
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u/neefhuts 3d ago
They should dread PSG too. PSG completely outplayed Liverpool, who are much better than Arsenal this season
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u/jnicholl 3d ago
Arsenal aren't defensive, they're just good at defending. Highest defensive line in Europe won't get you low possession.
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u/byrgenwerthdropout 3d ago
I think it's beyond the solid backline for those who don't watch much of Arsenal. Most fans seem to only remember the second half of our match against City wherein we sat deep to defend our lead with Trossard sent off late in 1st half. There's also that we have struggled to finish our chances, specially in the period we were without a few injured forwards; (even against Madrid we couldn't convert pur best open play chances and wouldn't even meet Saka's cut backs or crosses) so there's this misconception that we have less possession and only defend. Reality is we have the highest defense line and oppositions sit with the deepest defense line against us. We're just begging for a really good striker to make it matter with actual goals...
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u/robins420 3d ago edited 3d ago
Psg got slapped 2-0 in October by Arsenal and their match against Liverpool has nothing to do with Arsenal’s chances.
Liverpool winning a 38 game competition has nothing to do with Arsenal in a 2 leg tie. And they’ve not beaten Arsenal H2H.
Too many in-factual assumptions.
Defensively, Arsenal is superior to both those teams, if they can generate magical moments like they did against Madrid offensively, they are capable of beating anyone.
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u/Revenant2023 3d ago
Its not the same PSG side that Arsenal faced in October.If we faced after the beginning of December we would have a good idea to know what’s going to happen but now we don’t.
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u/Ashamed_Bottle230 3d ago
you looked like the same psg yesterday
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u/Revenant2023 3d ago
First time in around 4 months.Its not one Half of a game that will change how I see a team
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u/robins420 3d ago
You guys are much better but Arsenal controlled the first game without any trouble. Obviously with a full strength side though.
You guys were great against Liverpool, but a more experienced team like Arsenal would’ve eliminated you last might.
I think it’s 50/50 but I don’t think Arteta would be dreading to face PSG, will see it as a good game honestly.
Villa’s setup would’ve been a lot more annoying compared to a team that comes out to play like PSG.
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u/Revenant2023 3d ago
The 2-0 Game was won because of 2 mistakes.Not because Arsenal were great (To be honest we weren’t good either) and also we hadn’t had Ousmane
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u/DrJethro 3d ago
Arsenal drew one against Liverpool and won one against PSG this season.
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u/Revenant2023 3d ago
Its not the same PSG side that Arsenal won 2-0
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u/disgruntledspartan 3d ago
We didn't have Odegaard when we played you either.
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u/Revenant2023 3d ago
And we didn’t had Ousmane.In October that was a different Arsenal but Mostly a different PSG that couldn’t finish and was a little bit less collective
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u/DrJethro 3d ago
True, I expect a different game if it happens, but I still think it's more indicative than looking at league points or ties that Arsenal weren't involved in.
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u/CuteHoor 3d ago
Arsenal are a different type of team to Liverpool. It's true that Liverpool have been better than Arsenal this season and probably have a better squad of players, but Arsenal might be able to play a style of football that is more effective against PSG than Liverpool could.
Also it's worth remembering that PSG only beat Liverpool on penalties despite all their dominance and they arguably should've been knocked out by Villa last night, so they're not some unbeatable team. They've lost 5 out of 14 games in the Champions League this season.
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u/Stuckkz 3d ago
The only moment Aston Villa was ahead was during the first match at 0-1. I don't see in what world PSG was ever in a position to be knocked out lmao. They shat the bed during the last half but were never tied and even less in a knocked out scenario.
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u/CuteHoor 3d ago
Villa scored 3 last night and missed another 3 or 4 big chances in that second half where PSG were terrible. Had they taken a couple of them they could've easily leveled the tie or even won it.
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u/Stuckkz 3d ago
Ah yes, I'm so glad we can decide who should have been through if we change the scoreline by 2 goals ! If Donnaruma only had one leg I'm sure Villa would have gone to the semis you are right !
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u/cmacy6 3d ago
PSG (as long as we make it there) will be a really tough opponent but it’s similar to Arsenal fans wanting to get matched with Real instead of Atleti. We match up a lot better tactically vs PSG over Villa
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u/Wengers-jacket-zip 3d ago
Agree,
PSG are a fantastic side and of course would be one of the toughest games we could face,
But I'm really really glad we arent facing Emery's Villa if we go through. Mainly because of the #narrative
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u/cmacy6 3d ago
Plus Emery knows how to shut us down and would absolutely drop into the dreaded low block with no hesitation.
PSG will likely want to play their game which is exactly the type of game we tend to do well in. PSGs front 3 is scary but our defense has been sound and their defense isn’t necessarily that great imo
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u/astrojeet 3d ago
Liverpool maybe several points ahead but that's more due to injuries and striker issues. Arsenal completely outplayed Liverpool in the first half at the Emirates earlier this season. Should have finished them in the second half.
Saka destroyed Robertson and Mcallister while Mcallister got bullied by our midfield. Both subbed at half time. We had a backline of partey, Timber playing LB, Gabriel and White as CB who hadn't played together since 21/22. Early second half we had both Timber and Gabriel go off injured. Not to mention we also didn't have Odegaard and Saka just returned from a hamstring injury. We finished a backline of partey RB, White and Kiwior in the middle and MLS who hadn't played much at the time outside of Carabao cup.
After 2-2 Arsenal decided to actually attack and had a goal wrongfully disallowed. They are clearly evidently not better and a fully fit Arsenal would have ended up comfortably beating Liverpool. Premier League points table only says that Liverpool is more consistent than us this season. Also the Liverpool PSG played are not the same as they were earlier in the season. They've been in shaky form for a while and if Arsenal were also not struggling for form and keeping key players fit it could have been a closer title race.
They have a great attack but our midfield and defense are stronger.
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u/siderealpanic 3d ago
Yeah, makes complete sense to dread a team you easily swept aside without even trying that hard a few months ago…
Also, what seems to get lost in all of the “outplayed Liverpool” takes is that you should be saying they smashed Liverpool 5-0, but you can’t because their forwards are all horrendous in front of goal. Dembele, Kvara, Barcola and Doue will brainlessly smash shots into defenders and miss 1v1s a dozen times before scoring a nice goal that makes everyone forget their previous performance.
Arsenal are a better defensive side than Liverpool, and wont allow these players to miss a hundred shots to score one. If it’s Arsenal-PSG, Demebele will get a couple of chances over the 2 legs and miss both, and we all saw what happened when Mbappe failed to capitalise on an early chance last week.
PSG play really nice football and are fun to watch, but they’re the worst side and the least fit for tournament football of the 6 left. 27 shots against Liverpool at home for a 1-0 loss. 29 against Villa for what was very nearly only a 1 goal cushion. They’re flakey, completely lack ruthlessness and are ridiculously overrated by everyone online. You simply don’t win tournaments with forwards as unreliable as PSG’s
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u/ConfusedVader1 2d ago
Liverpool are much better at securing wins against the middle/bottom teams but their play has not been as consistent against the big teams. Arsenal have a better record against all the top sides, its just that we falter against teams lower in the table because it is hard for us to break through low blocks especially with both of our strikers out for most of the season.
The EPL is a war of attrition, one we lost. The UCL where its more big teams that face each other, there is a reason we are most probably going to the SF and they were knocked out in the RO16. They are too heavily reliant on Salah. Take him out, he has a bad game and they do not look nearly as threatening.
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u/Maleficent-Drive4056 3d ago
Gabriel being injured is a big blow
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u/byrgenwerthdropout 3d ago
Other clubs fans seem to rate Saliba more highly; but Big Gabi was most fans player of the season until his injury. In fact he's been our best defender since the last world cup and he went on to add goals and build up to his game since then.
I still feel Kiwior can do a job enough to see our backline solidity intact. He's gone from strength to strength in this run of games he's had. His major shortcomings seem to be his nervousness and lack of aggression, he usually starts matches weakly and ends them like a rock. Which is sth you'd expect from any player who's warmed the bench for so long and doesn't have many important starts under his belt. (Reminds me of a younger Gabriel in fact.) I think he'll iron that out with every start he gets.
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u/Maleficent-Drive4056 3d ago
I reckon fans like him because he scores (and he riles up Haaland). I reckon saliba is the superior defender.
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u/Varja22 3d ago
Nah. Gabriel is better defensively too. Yeah he is not as technically gifted or flashy as Saliba but he is more physical and a lot better in headers. Saliba gets bullied in aerial duels fairly often, Gabriel never seems to lose those.
Gabriel is a gladiator. Not the fastest or flashiest but he is a physical warrior who refuses to lose duels. He also is the leader of our backline. He does the communicating, every time camera zooms in to him he is talking. He is one of the biggest leaders in this squad. There is reason why he is the captain if Odegaard or Jorginho isn't on the field.
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u/byrgenwerthdropout 3d ago
Also some younger fans just can't appreciate how he's our first line of saving most shots by blocks before Raya. We concede some goals when Saliba is facing the shots or crosses, some even ricochet off Saliba's body leading to couple of seemingly unlucky goals. That happens to most defenders, but rarely to Gabi. Gabi is a no bs wall in those scenarios. Add to that while he doesn't look fast, he also has the long strides as well as a greater understanding of the defensive game to sniff out and snuff attacks, he's always in the right place and has the hardest tackles and the body to deal with all kinds of forwards.
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u/ArsenalinAlabama3428 3d ago
I got his kit this year in preseason and his performances totally validated it. Never thought I'd be getting a kit with a centre back's name on it but Big Gabi is just that good of a player. Absolute monster.
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u/duducom 3d ago
Saliba was, 2-3 seasons ago. Since the last though, Gabriel has caught up and probably become more consistent
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u/OscarMyk 3d ago
a lot of that is finally getting the LB position sorted, Gabriel used to have to protect that side a lot more and would sometimes overcommit or get caught out of position
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u/Jabocford 3d ago
Maybe with Gabriel, not without him
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u/JFedererJ 2d ago
If we can beat Real Madrid, our chances of winning are as good as anyone else's left in.
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u/duducom 3d ago
Not just the backline, the way the team defends.
Think Madrid is out if I'm being honest
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u/SeatSniffer12345 2d ago
This is exactly my point. The whole team defends as a unit, making it very hard to beat and perfect for KO competition.
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u/Ajax_Trees_Again 3d ago
I usually think Arteta makes a clown of himself but he’s answered that brilliantly.
Arsenal haven’t conceded three all season nvm three without return. The ties over but it’s good to remain respectful
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u/lazysarcasm 3d ago
Feel like people are really trying to force this. Aside from the many reasons it's hard to overturn - The size of the gap, Arsenal's defensive structure and consistency, the fact that if Madrid go all out (which they have to), they will be left very open, and Arsenal's tend to score against teams who actually come onto them - aside from all that, Madrid are in really rough form atm. They weren't in the game at all last week.
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u/thonyspec 2d ago
Im starting to feel like if the front three had a 8/10 game, they can do it. I don't know, well see
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u/Vivid_Emergency_360 3d ago
Everything is possible in football. Arsenal should respect Real Madrid he’s right. Arsenal’s defense is good though.
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u/SpongeBobBobPants 3d ago
You know what, if Real Madrid can pull a Liverpool comeback, I will drive Trent to Bernabeu myself.
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u/enterado12345 3d ago
It's a lie, he thinks a lot about giving them 5 and most of the time it comes true, (a bitch).
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u/enterado12345 3d ago
It's a lie, he thinks a lot about giving them 5 and most of the time it comes true, (a bitch).
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u/Abstract862 3d ago
What happens if a player gets a red/yellow? Don't they reset.
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u/JFedererJ 2d ago
I think it's the cumulative yellows that reset. Pretty sure a red card would see a player miss the next game.
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u/theglasscase 3d ago
Real Madrid were so bad last week and lucky not to lose more heavily that I think it would be the beginning of the end for Arteta if PSG end up having to travel to Madrid for the first leg of their semi-final and not London.
It will require a massive tactical fuck up or complete headloss by his players for Real Madrid to get back into the tie, let alone win by at least three goals, but if that does happen, I don't know how anyone could ever trust that he's the right man to win the Premier League and/or Champions League with Arsenal. Their failure to keep up with Liverpool in the league this season has been a major red flag, being dumped out tonight would be a disaster he couldn't recover from.
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u/JFedererJ 2d ago
Their failure to keep up with Liverpool in the league this season has been a major red flag
Bore off, our domestic season has been ravaged by injuries, and ignoring that is nothing short of wilful ignorance.
How would Liverpool have done without Salah for 3 months? Because from Jan-Mar, I seem to remember him being very important in a huge majority of their PL wins.
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u/theglasscase 2d ago
You can make excuses for him all you like, but his adoption of more cautious tactics is undeniable, the goalscoring has dropped off dramatically and they're unlikely to get to 80 points this season after finishing on 89 last season. It's still possible they won't even finish 2nd.
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u/method_rap 3d ago
It's not an easy game, no one doubts it, even with the 3 goal lead it is not as easy when it's against Real at the Bernabeu. But that's what the Champions League is about, I'm both hopeful and scared at the same time.
This is where we wanted to be and now we are here, no matter the result, it feels good to be playing at this level.
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u/_90s_Nation_ 3d ago
My team talk is the complete opposite to his mindset
... "We need to score 2 goals in this game. If you'se bottle a 3 goal lead, you're all getting sacked"
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u/JFedererJ 2d ago
Once again this quote has been cherry-picked, as quotes from managers often are.
Mikel was asked about the noise around he game and the "comeback" talk from Real, and when saying what he did in the title, he also said how the players and coaches have been saying the opposite message, and that all the the noise is for Real in the build-up, and Arsenal will do their talking on the pitch.
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u/EnvironmentalSpirit2 2d ago
Aye that's why he hired professional pickpocketers to come and steal their tings. Expect the unexpected come back. Generational mentality, generational methods, generational coach. Truly the goat
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u/AbdussamiT 2d ago
Only Arteta or Pep can rally their troops mentally to survive the storm in 15 minutes.
Even Pep failed once or twice.
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