Arsenal must relish Champions League quarter-final vs Real Madrid

Just think back to when this all started: Bournemouth away, Boxing Day 2019. Then, a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu was merely a concept belonging to a bygone era.

Mikel Arteta's project has returned the Gunners to more than mere relevancy. We're back at Europe's top table.

There are some who are ever so keen to criticise the man largely responsible for the club's re-emergence, with Arteta's inability to get Arsenal over the line a stick that will perpetually be used to beat him with until he eventually does. While the boss shouldn't be absolved from criticism for a 2024/25 campaign unlikely to meet expectations, this Gunners outfit still has the chance to do something quite special.

A 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night sealed a serene progression into the Champions League quarter-finals - their second last eight appearance since Arteta helped return Arsenal to the continent's premier club competition following a six-year absence. Such victories, especially with the comfort we enjoyed, shouldn't be taken for granted.

Now, we've got the chance to topple Europe's final boss. A controversial penalty shootout victory over their crosstown rivals means 15-time winners Real Madrid await in the next stage.

Arsenal to face Real Madrid in Champions League quarter-finals

Arsene Wenger's knack for securing a top four finish, even towards the end of his tenure, meant Champions League nights were long taken for granted in N7. However, after a remarkable journey to the final in 2006 and subsequent semi-final appearances in the late noughties, Arsenal emerged as the big-named whipping boys in the knockout phase.

The image of Arturo Vidal streaking in behind a hapless Gunners backline and chipping David Ospina like he was a Make-a-Wish kid given the chance to score at the Emirates is one that took six years to dissipate.

Arsenal's first Champions League venture with Arteta ended on a familiar note: by losing to Bayern Munich. This time around, though, the margins were razor thin. Thomas Tuchel's outfit were far from a vintage iteration, but they were a trademark Madrid miracle away from reaching the showpiece event at Wembley. You would've backed them in the final against Borussia Dortmund and their inferiority complex.

It was after that two-legged defeat to Bayern which shone the light on the need to acquire a 'X-factor' forward. However, the only superstar Arteta should be able to call upon for their quarter-final with the holders is a rusty Bukayo Saka. Madrid, on the contrary, will arrive in north London on 8 April with their 'Fab Four' in attack.

There's scope for the Gunners to enjoy periods of control against a Madrid side that almost always raises a tactical eyebrow. Carlo Ancelotti's side, despite the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, are chasing Barcelona in La Liga, and have seldom manifested their complete form this term. What separates them from the rest of the continent under the brightest lights are the intangibles. Heritage matters in this competition, and Madrid's ability in both boxes combined with their innate capacity to handle the biggest occasions with minimal fuss has seen them win six of the previous 11 Champions Leagues.

It will take something quite special for Arsenal to prevail, no matter Madrid's fallibility. And while their 2024/25 campaign now hinges on their continental success, the upcoming tussles with the grandmaster must be relished. They aren't occasions to shy away from. D'you think we were meant to win in 2006?

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