Real Madrid set to visit Arsenal for first leg of Champions League quarterfinal
In the UEFA Champions League, players generally do not look forward to injury layoffs, yet Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka believes his enforced break could turn out to be advantageous for both him and his club as they gear up to clash with reigning...
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In the UEFA Champions League, players generally do not look forward to injury layoffs, yet Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka believes his enforced break could turn out to be advantageous for both him and his club as they gear up to clash with reigning champions Real Madrid in the first leg of their quarterfinal matchup.
Saka has become arguably the most indispensable player in Mikel Arteta's lineup. Although his return from a significant hamstring injury may have come too late to revive Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations, the prospect of European success remains a tangible goal.
The 23-year-old forward was sidelined for England's initial two World Cup qualifiers last month, but he marked his return with a score during Arsenal's Premier League victory over Fulham last week. To have a chance against Real Madrid, the Gunners will need Saka operating at peak performance. His significance to the London club is highlighted by his impressive statistics this season: 10 goals and 14 assists across 26 matches in all competitions, including four goals in the Champions League.
Last year, Arsenal encountered an exit at the quarterfinal stage, halted by Bayern Munich, while still contesting the Premier League title against Manchester City before ultimately falling short.
"Be super convinced. 8 p.m. tomorrow night, 11 players, 60,000 people, really super-convinced that we are ready to win and to beat them. That's the mindset that I want," Arteta emphasized. "The rest, be the team that we've been over the last quarter of the season, with all the ups and downs, and things that we have to deal with. Continue to do that because that's our super-strength."
On the other hand, Real Madrid is set to face Arsenal in the Champions League for the first time since 2006. The Spanish giants will be keen to avoid a repeat of that previous encounter, where Thierry Henry’s goal at the Bernabeu was pivotal in the round of 16. The Gunners advanced to their first and only final in the competition, which they lost to Barcelona.
Both teams experienced disappointing weekends in their domestic leagues, with Arsenal drawing 1-1 at Everton, while Real Madrid lost further ground to Barcelona in the La Liga title race, suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia.
"It may be that a lot of people have become tired. I don't think the most important person, [club] president Florentino Perez, is tired with me. That's all that matters," said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. "The most important thing is he is happy to be with me, he supports me, he helps me. This is what matters. As for the rest of them, there might be a lot that are very tired with me. What can change the dynamic is that the most important person at this club doesn't get tired of me."
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
Saka has become arguably the most indispensable player in Mikel Arteta's lineup. Although his return from a significant hamstring injury may have come too late to revive Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations, the prospect of European success remains a tangible goal.
The 23-year-old forward was sidelined for England's initial two World Cup qualifiers last month, but he marked his return with a score during Arsenal's Premier League victory over Fulham last week. To have a chance against Real Madrid, the Gunners will need Saka operating at peak performance. His significance to the London club is highlighted by his impressive statistics this season: 10 goals and 14 assists across 26 matches in all competitions, including four goals in the Champions League.
Last year, Arsenal encountered an exit at the quarterfinal stage, halted by Bayern Munich, while still contesting the Premier League title against Manchester City before ultimately falling short.
"Be super convinced. 8 p.m. tomorrow night, 11 players, 60,000 people, really super-convinced that we are ready to win and to beat them. That's the mindset that I want," Arteta emphasized. "The rest, be the team that we've been over the last quarter of the season, with all the ups and downs, and things that we have to deal with. Continue to do that because that's our super-strength."
On the other hand, Real Madrid is set to face Arsenal in the Champions League for the first time since 2006. The Spanish giants will be keen to avoid a repeat of that previous encounter, where Thierry Henry’s goal at the Bernabeu was pivotal in the round of 16. The Gunners advanced to their first and only final in the competition, which they lost to Barcelona.
Both teams experienced disappointing weekends in their domestic leagues, with Arsenal drawing 1-1 at Everton, while Real Madrid lost further ground to Barcelona in the La Liga title race, suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia.
"It may be that a lot of people have become tired. I don't think the most important person, [club] president Florentino Perez, is tired with me. That's all that matters," said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. "The most important thing is he is happy to be with me, he supports me, he helps me. This is what matters. As for the rest of them, there might be a lot that are very tired with me. What can change the dynamic is that the most important person at this club doesn't get tired of me."
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
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