Mikel Arteta's Arsenal Reach New Heights with Dominant Champions League Performance

Posted : 09 April 2025

Ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal against the 15-time winners Real Madrid, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s rallying cry was to "make it happen." On Tuesday, his players answered the call in emphatic fashion, delivering a 3-0 victory in the first leg, much to the delight of a raucous north London crowd.

This win provided a sense of redemption for Arsenal, who have often found themselves on the verge of glory in recent seasons but have fallen just short, especially in tight Premier League title races and last year's Champions League quarterfinal exit.

While this season's English title may now be out of reach, with Liverpool maintaining a strong lead, the Champions League is within Arsenal's grasp. However, they will need to protect their significant advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu next week, as well as navigate the road to the semifinals for the first time since 2009.

Tuesday’s dominant performance felt like a defining moment for Arteta’s squad, showcasing their growth and potential on the European stage.

A standout moment came from Declan Rice, who scored two brilliant freekicks in the second half, taking Arsenal’s grip on the game to another level. His first, a curling effort in the 58th minute, marked his first-ever direct freekick goal and Arsenal’s first since September 2021.

His second freekick, which left Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard in disbelief, was even more spectacular. According to Opta, the chances of Rice scoring both freekicks were only 0.23%, making his feat all the more remarkable and fueling the belief among Arsenal fans that this could be their year.

Several other factors also played into Arsenal's impressive performance. The return of winger Bukayo Saka from injury added dynamism to the attack, while Odegaard orchestrated the midfield with class. The teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly showed maturity beyond his years, and Mikel Merino, stepping in as a makeshift striker due to Kai Havertz's injury, delivered a finish of exquisite quality.

Arteta praised the collective effort, noting that individual performances were key to defeating a team as formidable as Real Madrid. Still, he knows the challenge isn’t over, with the second leg at the Bernabeu demanding an even higher level of play.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal Reach New Heights with Dominant Champions League Performance

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