Paul Merson believes that his former club Arsenal would be better off opposed to Atletico Madrid than Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League – do you agree with that?
The Gunners meet in their last 16 second stage in their last 16 second stage and are almost in the last eight after their 7-1 win from the first pipes last week.
The side of Mikel Arteta is then about to become Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, with Real with a 2-1 lead in the first legs prior to Wednesday's return match in the Wanda Metropolitano.
The tie is nice and ready, but Merson feels that the Noord -Londers want to come across Atletico instead of the Champions League holders.
When asked how far away Arsenal can go in the competition, Merson told Sky Sports News: “I think it depends on who wins from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
“I think if Atletico Madrid wins, Arsenal has a bit of a chance. I think that will be a tight game, Atletico Madrid nobody blows away – they play a certain style of football.
“But if they play against Real Madrid, I don't know if they can live with them with goals on two legs, especially with the players who are out of Arsenal.
“And I know they recently won 7-1, but it was a bit of a polyfilla result. It covered the cracks.”
Who do you think Arsenal would be better off? Read on while we argue for both parties – and give your word in our poll.
Real Madrid The preference over Low-Block Masters Atletico?
Sky Sports' Oliver Yew:
Arsenal's problem since the beginning of the year scores goals.
Injuries are a key factor in this. Each team would miss an advanced edge if he misses, such as Bukayo Saka, Kai Hvertz and Gabriel Jesus.
But the problem is increased in encountering parties who pack their defense, play with a low block, and that will be a common event, especially in the Premier League.
It is nothing new for Arsenal, but if they are confronted with Ateltico Madrid, Diego Simeone's side, they would know exactly what would come. The resilient style of Atletico looks tailor -made to cause the side of Mikel Arteta many problems.
We saw that in 2018 in Arsenal's Europa League semi-final against Simeone's side, although Arsene Wenger was still in charge. Atletico, with 10 players, fought to a 1-1 draw in the Emirates Stadium before a 1-0 win in Madrid saw them reach the final when they lifted the trophy.
Last season also demonstrated the difficulties where Arsenal is confronted with defensive parties in Europe, in which the Gunners passed a rugged Porto outfit in the last 16 of the Champions League.
There is one team that does not play a low block: Real Madrid.
With Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius JR, it's not in their makeup. And although Real can blow every side out of the water on their day, their attacking style can help Arsenal.
We saw that against PSV, who left the space for Arsenal to exploit.
Martin Odegaard allowed to thrive and it was no surprise to see Arsenal clicking in gear to score seven with their captain who pulled the strings.
Of course Real Madrid has the star power to make Arsenal look stupid. They are the holders and should not be underestimated.
But their style, about that of Atletico, may fit Arsenal in their current person entitled to loss.
The case to face Atletico about Real Madrid
Nick Wright from Sky Sports:
Atletico Madrid is a formidable opponent, but is it really harder than Real Madrid in this tournament?
The 15-time winners have won the competition more than twice as often as any other club, including of course last season, when they overcome Borussia Dortmund in Wembley in the final.
They have not been to the same level as the last term in their own country. There were also some beautiful wonderful vulnerability early in the Champions League League phase campaign, when they were defeated three times by Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool. But don't be fooled.
They go in their second stage with Atletico who have won their last six consecutive Champions League matches, including both legs of their play-off Double header with Manchester City-and in the trial have taken an incredible total of 19 goals.
Their attacking firepower is certainly unparalleled in European football, and although their defense is currently exhausted by injuries, they remain a nightmare opponent, especially in Europe.
There is of course also their aura to consider. The biggest factor in the European success of Real Madrid is the quality of their players, but all those historical nights have also equipped them with a level of faith and sustainability that does not have any other party in this competition.
Consider how they beat Bayern Munich in the semi -final of last season, thanks to an extraordinary late double from replacement Joselu. Their victory over Manchester City in the same phase of the competition in 2021/22, with two stop-time goals from Rodrygo and an extra-time winner from Karim Benzema, was even more unlikely. Only Real Madrid can do this.
They would retain that psychological advantage towards Arsenal, as they would ascake, and their willingness to lean back and not overlook opponents, awaiting opportunities to unleash Vinicius, Mbappe and the rest on the counter.
In the quarterfinals of last season, they conquered Manchester City, eventually on penalties, while on average they have about 34 percent of the two legs on average. They are pragmatic under Carlo Ancelotti, themselves a record five -time winner of the competition as a manager. They must be feared – more than Atletico.
Follow Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid in Sky Sports' Live Blog on our digital platforms on Wednesday; kick -off 8 p.m.
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