Lyle: “This sends shivers down the spine of many teams” after Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Real Madrid | OneFootball

Arsenal’s Masterclass Against Real Madrid: Robbie Lyle and AFTV React

Atmosphere at the Emirates Defines a Glorious Night

In a night few will forget, Arsenal dismantled Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates in a stunning display that left even the most loyal fans awe-struck. Speaking after the match on AFTV, Robbie Lyle summed it up succinctly: “I’m still buzzing… that performance today from Arsenal – I can’t think of a better one.”

Lyle, joined by Marty from AFTV, painted a vivid picture of the electric atmosphere. “That atmosphere today was special,” he said. “Our whole stadium was absolutely rocking… fans were in really early as well, which is something you don’t always see here at the Emirates.”

The win has rightly raised hopes and eyebrows, with Lyle declaring, “That sends shivers down the spine of many teams in the Champions League.”

Real Madrid Humbled on the Night

From the outset, the match promised intensity. Despite a slightly shaky first ten minutes, Arsenal found their rhythm quickly. “We completely dominated that game,” said Lyle. “It’s only disappointing that it’s only three – it should have been more.”

Real Madrid, stacked with stars like Mbappé, Vinicius Jr and Bellingham, were “shellshocked,” according to Lyle. He described the disbelief on their faces at full-time: “They couldn’t believe it… they were like ‘Wow.’”

Despite being mocked for his pre-match optimism, Lyle had always believed: “They gave us a 40% chance… people slagging me off, saying Robbie’s deluded. But are you not paying attention to what Arsenal have been doing in the Champions League this season?”

Photo: IMAGO

Declan Rice and Merino: Big Moments, Big Players

One of the night’s standout performers was Declan Rice. Having faced criticism earlier in the season, his response was emphatic. “That free kick tonight was like… Dimitri Payet used to play for West Ham. He melted it, he literally melted it,” said Lyle.

Rice scored twice from set-pieces, each more breathtaking than the last. Lyle called it “a man-of-the-match performance,” adding, “World-class player, world-class moments.”

The praise didn’t end there. Merino also drew acclaim. “Big goal, great finish… my man said it earlier, he’s been asked to step up and my God has he stepped up.”

Lyle reserved admiration for others too, including Lewis-Skelly: “He was like a man possessed.”

Eyes on the Bernabéu: Calm and Compact Approach Needed

Looking ahead, Lyle urged focus for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. “Arsenal just got to do what I’ve seen them do literally every away game this season,” he said. “Be compact… and then our chances will come.”

Photo: IMAGO

He also offered a tactical hint: “They ain’t going to want to concede any corners against us… we gave them problems every time from set pieces.”

Confidence remains high among the AFTV crew. When asked if Arsenal can finish the job, Lyle simply replied: “Yes. We’re going to do this.”

Final Thoughts

For Lyle, the victory ranks among the very best. “It’s in the top five,” he said, evoking past glories like Thierry Henry’s return and wins over Barcelona and Manchester United. “But for it to go down in history, we’ve got to go there and win that second leg.”

And on that note, he left us with a simple plea: “Can we bring back away goals?”