Arteta talks Ancelotti, Bellingham, Rice, Partey, comeback threat ahead of Real Madrid vs Arsenal | OneFootball

As Arsenal prepare themselves to take on Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, manager Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his team must impose their game at the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow.

Arsenal go into the contest with a healthy advantage having defeated Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium last week.

However, despite having a significant edge, the Gunners are not counting Los Blancos out, especially given the Spanish capital club’s amazing ability to pull off special comebacks, especially in the Champions League.

As such, Arteta made it clear as to how his team plan to approach the contest at the Bernabeu tomorrow, saying:

“We want to win. We want to dominate like we did in the first leg to give ourselves the best chance to win. That’s our clear mentality and what we’ll try to do tomorrow. They’re going to try to take the game to places we don’t want it to go.”

While Madrid’s history of comebacks looms large, Arteta isn’t swayed by the external noise, as he said:

“I understand it. It’s part of their history. But our preparation is focused on how we can be at our best in key areas of the game. We want to create chances to win the match.”

On countering the mentality of players like Jude Bellingham, who spoke openly about Real Madrid’s comebacks earlier today, Arteta insisted:

“The same mindset: to be dominant, to be brave, and with the conviction that we can be better than them and win the game.”

When told about Ancelotti asking his players to show “heart and balls,” Arteta responded with his own framework for success, saying:

“There are three aspects: physical, technical-tactical, and emotional. That last one is very important. It might even define the match. We prepare for these kinds of scenarios so we can handle any situation.”

On Arsenal’s consistency and ability to avoid heavy defeats, Arteta said: “We just keep repeating the same message. It’s been 172 games since we lost by more than three goals.

“We have to believe we can do it. We have to trust in ourselves and speak through our football.”

On whether he sees fear in his players heading into tomorrow’s match, Arteta was emphatic in his response, as he said:

“I don’t want to use that word. Respect and admiration, yes. The history of Real Madrid and their values are an inspiration for any coach and any team. But we are determined to win the match against a fierce opponent.”

Arteta and Arsenal ready for the Bernabeu challenge. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)

On whether Real Madrid’s confidence from past comebacks could be dangerous, he added:

“We have to try to reinforce the opposite message, what we’ve done in recent matches. We’re very close to them, and hopefully that message sticks. We have to approach tomorrow’s game and that’s it.”

On whether they have practiced penalties, he remarked: “We train penalties every week. If we only did it for one game, I think we’d be going in the wrong direction.”

Providing a fitness update on the squad, Arteta said: “[Ben] White has trained with us and will be part of the squad. Thomas [Partey] is available, but unfortunately Jorginho hasn’t recovered from the weekend incident and won’t be with us.”

Arsenal outplayed Real Madrid in the first leg, but two of their goals came from direct free-kicks scored by Declan Rice.

On being asked about whether they had worked on set-pieces again, Arteta confirmed: “Of course. And hopefully, we can create more moments like those. Declan’s goal was also incredible to witness.”

Arteta famously prepared his team for Anfield in 2021 by playing You’ll Never Walk Alone through loudspeakers in training. On being asked if he had employed any special tactics to train for tomorrow, he said:

“I haven’t done anything like that. Every game is different, but emotionally, it’s about being convinced that we’re super prepared.

“You have to go out there with immense conviction and bravery. We did that in London – that’s behind us now. We have to do it again in a different context.”

Despite holding an advantage, Arteta insists Arsenal won’t play it safe at the Bernabeu tomorrow.

“Because that’s how we feel most comfortable and how we play football—to be better than the opponent and to win in the best possible way. If we do that, we’ll be closer to the semifinals,” he affirmed.

Source: AS