As the saying goes, a lot can happen in 90 minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, even if the game had been extended much longer, Real Madrid would have struggled to recover from the blow inflicted by Declan Rice a week prior.
Arsenal were not going to hand Madrid anything, and the reigning champions were unable to seize control themselves. If William Saliba hadn`t played with such confidence, almost as if Arsenal were leading 4-0, they might have achieved their fourth consecutive clean sheet against such esteemed opposition.
When Vinicius Junior scored, briefly raising hopes in the Bernabeu, Arsenal`s resilience shone through. For a significant period, the game remained uneventful, diminishing any prospect of a comeback that already seemed improbable before kickoff.
Rice was instrumental, intercepting passes, overpowering opponents, and driving the team forward. Lewis-Skelly`s feigned movements confused defenders. Even Jakub Kiwior, often seen as a weaker link, confidently controlled the ball with his head to pass back to David Raya.
Bukayo Saka, who had worked tirelessly to regain fitness for these crucial matches, was seen defending deep in his own penalty area, intercepting a through ball – a level of defensive commitment rarely seen from Madrid`s celebrated attacking trio.
It wasn`t until the 91st minute, with Endrick`s shot going wide, that Madrid created their first real chance of the night. This was the first time Arsenal`s defense had been truly tested by Madrid`s attacking prowess since Jude Bellingham`s pass to Kylian Mbappe in the previous leg.
This victory was a testament to system over individual brilliance. Mikel Arteta has spent five years developing a team that not only defends collectively but embraces it. The talk of a Madrid comeback never seemed to faze them. Arsenal had a clear plan to defeat Madrid, and they executed it flawlessly.
Arsenal comfortably settled into their 4-4-2 defensive shape, allowing space on the flanks, trusting in the abilities of Jurrien Timber and Lewis-Skelly in one-on-one situations. Whenever Madrid lost possession, Gabriel Martinelli was poised to launch a counter-attack.
Martinelli played with composure, not rushing his attacks, ensuring Arsenal established themselves in the final third to exploit Madrid`s vulnerable defense.
Penalties aside, Arsenal were the dominant team. When they needed to control the game and silence the home crowd, they did so, effectively removing the intimidation factor of the Bernabeu.
They were also aided by an ineffective opponent. After their wrongly awarded penalty was overturned, Madrid seemed to lose their attacking direction. Their attacks became predictable, relying on crosses into the box, with no clear target. It appeared their midfield strategy was simply hoping Toni Kroos would return from retirement.
With only eight games left this season, Carlo Ancelotti, despite his reputation for managing star players, has yet to find a system that maximizes the combined potential of Mbappe and Vinicius.
While Madrid may shift focus to the next season, Arsenal`s focus remains firmly on the present. Paris Saint-Germain will present a tougher challenge in the semi-finals, a tie anticipated to be more exciting for neutral fans, comparing it to a clash of contrasting styles. Arsenal will miss Thomas Partey in the first leg, although Jorginho is a capable alternative.
Even if this semi-final doesn`t go as planned, Arsenal are poised to return to this stage soon. Over the past three years, they have consistently responded to setbacks by improving and pushing their rivals harder. Only a significant injury crisis hindered their Premier League campaign.
Key players in this Arsenal team are yet to reach their peak. They now understand their potential. When William Saliba`s status as a top defender is questioned, he can simply point to his crucial intervention against Mbappe. Saka seems to thrive after penalty misses, quickly scoring against Courtois. Rice, at 26, has already delivered a Champions League performance that will be remembered as the Declan Rice quarterfinals, playing like a world-class midfielder.
Arsenal have rightfully claimed their place among Europe`s elite, a position they haven`t held since the era of the Invincibles. This Champions League victory is arguably the greatest in the club`s history, or at least, the greatest so far.
