Arsenal Faces Real Madrid with Three-Goal Advantage in Champions League

Ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta emphasized his team's confidence and determination, insisting they do not fear Madrid despite the Spanish club's storied history of comebacks. Arteta responded directly to Real midfielder Jude Bellingham's claims about Madrid's expectation to win by highlighting that Arsenal shares a similar winning mindset and aims to be both brave and dominant. While acknowledging Real Madrid's reputation for dramatic turnarounds, Arteta stressed that his team respects but does not fear their opponents, focusing instead on executing their own game plan as they did in the first leg. Arsenal holds a 3-0 lead from the first match, and Arteta has urged his players to maintain a proactive approach rather than sitting back, warning against allowing Madrid to build momentum. The Gunners' preparation mirrors their approach to the first leg, and despite some minor injury concerns, key players like Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are expected to feature. The match is seen as a significant opportunity for Arsenal to reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2009.