Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has declared that the Gunners are not afraid of Real Madrid and will approach Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu to win, despite holding a 3-0 lead from the first leg.
Declan Rice’s stunning free kicks and a late goal from Mikel Merino have given the Gunners a commanding advantage.
However, with Madrid’s reputation for dramatic European comebacks, especially at home, the tie is far from over.
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Speaking during a pre-match press conference in Madrid on Tuesday, Arteta acknowledged the threat posed by the 15-time European champions but acknowledged that his players are focused on making history rather than fearing it.
“We approach the game to win it, the same as we did in London,” Arteta said.
“We have to show the mindset to win, to be brave, to be dominant, and to be determined. We need to have the conviction that we can be better than them and win the game.”
While Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham described the second leg as a night “made for Madrid,” Arteta remained unfazed.
“I understand it because it is part of their history, and they have the right to be talking about these kinds of scenarios,” he said.
“They’re going to try to take the game to places very different to our intentions.”
“I wouldn’t use that word. No fear, only respect.”
The match represents a chance for Arsenal to reach just their third Champions League semi-final in club history and take a step closer to lifting the trophy for the first time.
“There’s excitement,” Arteta added.
“When you talk about creating history, look at how small the history is; we have not won the competition.”
