GUNNERS OF VICTORY

Questions have been posed about Arteta’s Arsenal in recent times. They have been criticised about their lack of minerals when it truly matters. There have been questions about their motivation for success and to lack of belief in getting over the line (legendary bottle jobs come to mind). However, it’s a new dawn and a new day for this squad and the proof is there for all to see.

Arsenal without a shadow of a doubt put to bed any negative murmur about their self-belief and mentality in critical matches. The Gunners now have a massive opportunity to reach the final of the Champions League for the second time in their history after becoming the first team in London to feature in the final back in 2006.

Arsenal supporters and fans alike will be delighted with the performance against Real Madrid. Following on from their impressive win in the first leg, Arsenal knew the job wasn’t over (even with a 3-goal aggregate advantage). Arteta is well aware of the threat Real Madrid would pose, especially at the Bernabeu and set his team out cautiously.

Arsenal began the game in positive fashion and had a few chances early in the game. Surprisingly, Real Madrid had a much slower start than anticipated. It was expected and anticipated that the home side with home support would attack at every opportunity, however, that wasn’t to be the case. Arsenal were solid throughout and their defence was formidable which Real Madrid struggled to penetrate. Lewis-Kelly, Saliba and Timber were switched on and focused and defended masterfully (Real Madrid’s fire power had nothing for Arsenal’s defence).

Although Saka missed a penalty in the first half, it was the ‘Starboy’ who opened the deadlock when he superbly dinked the ball over the out-rushing Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois in the 65^th minute. Vinicius Junior quickly responded with a goal for Real Madrid in the 67^th minute to give the Real Madrid some glimmer of hope (a tough task indeed!). Real Madrid persevered but it just wasn’t good enough to overcome this Arsenal side. Martinelli ensured victory for the gunners after a lovely finish in the 93^rd minute sending the away supporters into a frenzy (chants of are you Tottenham in disguise rang throughout the Bernabeu…..they mocked it!!!!).

Arsenal deserved the victory and deserve to progress to the semi-final where they will face the impressive Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) (what an encounter that promises to be). Now the question remains, can Arsenal win the Champions League? Well that remains to be seen and they will need to be at their very best to get past PSG, and Barcelona or Inter Milan.

Starboy, the smile of victory!!!!