Arsenal’s Champions League Hopes Soar after Upsetting Real Madrid
Bukayo Saka, along with talkSPORT hosts Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara, believes Arsenal has the potential to clinch their first Champions League title after dominating Real Madrid over two matches. The Gunners secured a stunning 5-1 aggregate victory against the 15-time European champions, leaving pundits speechless.
Mikel Arteta’s squad easily won the first leg of the quarter-finals 3-0 at home, leading many fans and analysts to anticipate a strong response from Real Madrid in the return match. However, the Gunners continued to thwart their Spanish rivals, winning 2-1 at the Bernabeu, bolstered by second-half goals from Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, sandwiching Vinicius Jr.’s equalizer.
Now, Arsenal has secured three wins from four official clashes against Madrid, becoming the first club to triumph in their initial two visits to the Bernabeu. They’ve also marked a historical achievement as the first English team to win there twice, following their previous success back in the 2005/06 season.
Having previously eliminated the Champions League holders, Arsenal is keen on reaching the semi-finals of Europe’s leading competition for the first time in 16 years. They are set to face Paris Saint-Germain later this month, and the victor will go on to contend with either Barcelona or Inter Milan in the final in Germany.
O’Hara has begrudgingly acknowledged the Gunners’ prowess to potentially lift the coveted trophy. Reflecting on their remarkable performance against Real Madrid, he stated that while Madrid was underwhelming, Arsenal truly shone over both legs.
Saka expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome any challenge in Europe following their impressive win over one of the world’s elite clubs. He stated, “We proved tonight that we’re capable of playing at this level,” and hinted at their aspirations for the Champions League title, affirming, “Yes. I like to believe that.” Arsenal will host PSG at the Emirates on April 29, although they will be without Thomas Partey due to a one-match suspension.
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