Arsenal and Real Madrid's Imaginary Meeting Comes True

MADRID, THURSDAY — After a fierce competition, the eight best teams have finally secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. One of the most attention-grabbing aspects of the quarter-finals is the realization of the imagined encounter between Real Madrid and Arsenal. Meetings between these two teams are relatively rare, making it highly anticipated.

The only historic encounter between Arsenal and Real occurred in the Round of 16 of the 2005-2006 Champions League. In the two-legged match, Arsenal managed to surpass Real with an aggregate score of 1-0. The solitary goal securing Arsenal's victory at that time was scored by striker Thierry Henry at Real's home ground, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, during the first leg.

Although considered regular teams in the Champions League, Real and Arsenal have not faced each other again since then. Therefore, the meeting between Real and Arsenal seems like mere imagination.

However, nearly 20 years later, fate brought about an imaginary meeting between Real and Arsenal. This rare match materialized thanks to the results of the round of 16. Arsenal advanced smoothly, overcoming PSV Eindhoven with a 9-3 aggregate advantage. Meanwhile, Real nearly faced elimination after losing 0-1 in the second leg at Atletico Madrid's home ground.

Real successfully prevented Atletico from doubling their lead, keeping the aggregate score at 2-2. The match then had to proceed to a penalty shootout. In the dramatic penalty shootout, Real demonstrated their mentality by winning 4-2.

For Real, the meeting with Arsenal seemed to give them no respite. After finishing outside the top eight in the league phase, Real were continually tested by tough opponents. Before eliminating Atletico, Real were involved in a fierce battle against Manchester City in the last-16 playoffs.

Such is the fate of Real, as the most successful team in the Champions League, which continues to face tough opponents. The higher the tree, the stronger the wind that will strike.

"This hard-fought victory must serve as motivation for us. There is still a long road ahead this season, and this must be a moral boost so that we can continue to improve, grow, and keep fighting for everything," said Real midfielder Federico Valverde after his team secured a spot in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, for Arsenal, Real will be the toughest test in the knockout phase of this season's Champions League. Thanks to their success in entering the top eight of the league phase, Arsenal did not have to struggle as much as Real who had to go through the playoffs. Thanks to finishing in third place, Arsenal got a relatively easy opponent, PSV Eindhoven. Without difficulty, PSV was crushed by nine goals in two meetings.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits the return meeting with Real will be extremely difficult. “We know for sure the difficulties but I cannot tell you one,” Arteta said.

Multiple motivations have certainly entered Arsenal and Real. Because, the Champions League is very likely to be the only prestigious trophy they win this season. In the domestic league, both Real and Arsenal are equally struggling to catch up with the leaders of the standings. Arsenal is 15 points behind Liverpool at the top of the standings, while Real is struggling to stop Barca's consistency.

In addition to Real and Arsenal, the Champions League quarter-finals also feature big matches. Inter Milan, who eliminated Feyenoord, will face Bayern Munich, while Barcelona will meet Borussia Dortmund. In another match, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is excited about the reunion with Paris Saint-Germain.

Before joining Villa, Emery had two seasons managing PSG in 2016-2018. With PSG Emery achieved success by presenting seven domestic trophies, but failed to shine in the European arena. Emery confirmed his reunion with PSG after Villa secured a 6-1 aggregate victory over Club Brugge.

“We are very excited and very motivated. PSG showed their capacity against Liverpool who until yesterday were the best team in Europe. It is a big challenge for the club, the coach, the fans and myself. It is special because I have not been back since I left there. I have not been back to Paris since then and I will go there to play against them. It will be fantastic,” Emery said.

The match between Bayern and Inter was a repeat of the 2009-2010 Champions League final. Inter came out on top, 2-0, thanks to a Diego Milito brace.

That season was Inter's most successful under Jose Mourinho. In addition to the Champions League, they swept two other prestigious titles, the Italian League and the Italian Cup, securing a treble in one season. (REUTERS)