Arsenal has traveled to Spain for their crucial Champions League quart final second stage against Real Madrid and arrives with a 3-0 lead over aggregated, although Mikel Arteta will not be aware that they cannot afford to be complacent
Arsenal has arrived in the Spanish capital while offering to reach the semi -final of the Champions League prior to a crucial second stage against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu. The Gunners have a 3-0 lead after two sensational declan rice-free stairs and a mick Merino target, but know that the track is not nearly over yet.
Madrid has a number of top players such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius JR and Jude Bellingham who can hurt the Gunners and the men of Carlo Ancelotti have the power to turn the draw on his head when they hit top shape.
After resting a handful of players for the 1-1 draw against Brentford, Baas Mikel Arteta will be convinced that his side has enough to hold against the Spanish giants and reach the last four.
While Arsenal is counting down to the most important game of their season, Mirror Football has demolished the biggest news and gossip at the Emirates.
Real Madrid Given Boost
The men of Ancelotti hope to gain any advantage that they can get if they look to destroy a 3-0 deficit against Arsenal in the second stage and the Spanish giants have received a boost – albeit a small one for Wednesday's game.
Madrid reportedly asked to close their roof in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium while the club trusts a lively home atmosphere to see through them.
In La Liga, clubs have control over whether their stadium roof remains open or closed – but in the Champions League UEFA must give them permission, with a retractable roof that may not be opened or closed as soon as the game has started.
But according to Sport Bible, Madrid granted their request, following various other games this season where they played with a closed roof in the Champions League.
Ancelotti has previously discussed the benefits of a closed roof – during their victory over Bayern Munich in the semi -final of last season, so that Joselu scored twice late to secure their place in the final.
“Acoustic is different, there is more noise, a much better atmosphere, I think,” he said. “That can encourage the team to be even more motivated.”
Arsenal has assigned Nypan Blow
The Gunners seemed to lead the race to sign the Norwegian Wonderkid Sverre Nypan who had conversations with his club Rosenborg last year.
The 18-year-old is seen as one of the rising stars of football and was compared to Martin Odegaard after a stunning season last year, he saw 18 target contributions produce in 33 performances to play the heads of some large clubs.
But now Arsenal wants to miss his signature, with Aston Villa now said he was ling the race to sign him.
According to athletics, the side of Unai Emery “are working to close a deal” for the teenager, who is “enthusiastic” about the prospect of arriving in Villa Park, even though Manchester United is also interested in him.
It goes further to say that Villa still has to agree with Rosenborg or personal conditions with NYPAN itself.
Legend calls for vigilance
Arsenal icon Charlie George knows something or two about playing Real Madrid after he had scored a hat trick against them – and yet ended up on the losing side – and he warned the club against complacency.
George played for Derby County in 1975 when he hit his brilliant Treble to inspire a 4-1 first leg and scored in the return match in Spain but Madrid took place after a 5-1 second leg victory after extra time.
Now 74 years old, the ex-Forward, who played 133 times for his boys' club, urged the team to concentrate on the clearing and not resting on their laurels.
“I scored four out of two games against Real Madrid and got away with nothing. Let's do the job on Wednesday, but I told them it's not over. Strange things are happening there, it's not over before it's done.”
Thinking about the painful defeat of Derby, he said: “It was devastating to lose how we did it in the second stage. Personally, I managed to score four goals in two games against Real Madrid and yet to end up on the losing side. I think we could have done well in the competition if we get through.”
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