As they say, a lot can happen in 90 minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, even if the game had been extended, Real Madrid would have struggled to recover from the setback inflicted by Declan Rice a week prior.
Arsenal were in control and Madrid were unable to seize the initiative. Thanks to William Saliba`s confident play, reminiscent of a team leading comfortably, Arsenal nearly achieved their fourth consecutive clean sheet against Real Madrid.
When Vinicius Junior scored, briefly reigniting Madrid`s hopes, Arsenal demonstrated their resilience. For a significant period, they effectively neutralized Real Madrid`s attack, making a comeback seem increasingly unlikely.
Rice consistently intercepted passes, asserted his physical presence, and drove the ball forward. Lewis-Skelly cleverly outmaneuvered his defender with a feint. Even Jakub Kiwior, often considered a weaker link, skillfully controlled the ball with his head to pass back to David Raya.
Bukayo Saka, despite recent fitness challenges, tirelessly tracked back to his own penalty area to intercept a through ball, a defensive contribution rarely seen from Madrid`s forwards.
Madrid only managed a weak attempt in the 91st minute, their first real chance since Jude Bellingham`s pass to Kylian Mbappe in the previous game.
This victory was a testament to Arsenal`s well-structured system, outperforming Madrid`s individual stars. Mikel Arteta has spent five years developing a team that defends collectively and enthusiastically. They remained unfazed by talk of a Madrid comeback, executing their game plan effectively.
Arsenal comfortably adopted a 4-4-2 defensive formation, allowing space on the wings while trusting Jurrien Timber and Lewis-Skelly in individual duels. When Madrid lost possession, Gabriel Martinelli was poised for quick counter-attacks.
Martinelli prioritized controlled attacks, patiently establishing Arsenal`s presence in the final third to exploit Madrid`s vulnerable defense.
Ignoring penalties, Arsenal dominated the match. They confidently controlled the game, silencing the Bernabeu crowd that was expected to intimidate them.
Madrid`s struggles also contributed to Arsenal`s success. After their wrongly awarded penalty was overturned, the home team lost their attacking direction. Their attacks became predictable, relying on crosses into the box, seemingly hoping for a lucky outcome rather than effective midfield play.
With only eight games remaining this season, Carlo Ancelotti has yet to find a system that effectively utilizes Mbappe and Vinicius together.
Madrid may be looking ahead to next season, but Arsenal`s focus remains firmly on the present. Paris Saint-Germain will be a tougher opponent in the next round, promising a more exciting contest. While Thomas Partey`s absence will be felt in the first leg, Jorginho is a capable alternative.
Even if they don`t win this semi-final, Arsenal are poised for continued success. They have consistently improved over the past three years, overcoming setbacks and challenging their rivals. Only significant injuries hampered their Premier League campaign.
Key players are still improving and realizing their potential. William Saliba can silence doubters by highlighting his defensive masterclass against Mbappe. Saka`s penalty miss only spurred him on to score later. Declan Rice has already defined this Champions League run as his own. At 26, he is performing among the world`s best midfielders.
Arsenal have reclaimed their place among Europe`s elite, reminiscent of their “Invincibles” era. This Champions League victory is arguably the greatest in the club`s history, or at least, the greatest so far.
Dominic Ashworth