Indeed, ninety minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu is a significant duration. However, even if the game had extended far beyond that, Real Madrid would have struggled to recover from the setback inflicted by Declan Rice in the first leg.
Arsenal were not about to concede any ground to Madrid, and the reigning champions were unable to seize control. Had William Saliba not been so relaxed, almost as if Arsenal were leading Real Madrid by four goals, the Gunners could have achieved their fourth consecutive clean sheet against this formidable opponent.
The moment Vinicius Junior scored, briefly reigniting hope in the Bernabeu, Arsenal`s resilience became evident. For a considerable period, the game remained stagnant, with little to suggest a Madrid comeback was possible, a scenario that seemed improbable even before kickoff.
Rice was instrumental, intercepting passes, overpowering opponents, and driving forward. Lewis-Skelly cleverly feigned a move in one direction, deceiving his defender. Jakub Kiwior, often considered a weaker link, confidently controlled the ball with his head, passing it back to David Raya.
Bukayo Saka, who had exerted himself to regain fitness for these crucial matches, displayed incredible commitment by tracking back into his own penalty area to intercept a through ball. In stark contrast, none of Madrid`s celebrated attacking trio demonstrated such defensive diligence.
Only in the 91st minute, with Endrick`s wide shot, did Madrid finally create a noteworthy chance. This was their first genuine attacking threat since Jude Bellingham`s pass to Kylian Mbappe in the first leg at the Emirates.
This victory was a testament to tactical organization triumphing over individual brilliance. Mikel Arteta has spent five years cultivating a team that not only defends collectively but embraces the defensive aspect of the game. The prospect of a Madrid comeback never seemed to faze them. They had a clear strategy to defeat Madrid, and they executed it flawlessly.
Arsenal comfortably transitioned into their 4-4-2 defensive formation, conceding space on the flanks while relying on the exceptional Jurrien Timber and Lewis-Skelly in one-on-one situations. Whenever Madrid lost possession, which occurred frequently, Gabriel Martinelli was poised to launch counter-attacks.
Martinelli prioritized calculated attacks rather than reckless rushes towards goal, ensuring Arsenal established a presence in the final third to exploit Madrid`s vulnerable defense.
Disregarding the penalties, Arsenal were the superior team in this match. They effectively silenced the home crowd, taking control of a stadium that was expected to intimidate them.
Their task was made easier by a struggling opponent. After their wrongly awarded penalty was overturned, the home side appeared to lose all attacking cohesion. Their repeated crosses into the box seemed aimless. Perhaps resorting to simple crosses was their only option, as their midfield ball progression strategy, seemingly reliant on Toni Kroos reversing his retirement, proved ineffective.
With only eight games remaining this season, Carlo Ancelotti, despite his reputation as a star player whisperer, has yet to devise a system that effectively integrates Mbappe and Vinicius to maximize their combined potential.
While Madrid may be shifting focus to the next season, Arsenal`s attention remains firmly on the present. Paris Saint-Germain will present a significantly greater challenge in the upcoming semi-final, a tie that promises to be more captivating for neutral observers, a clash reminiscent of the fast-paced Phoenix Suns against the dominant 1985 Chicago Bears. Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes will not allow Saka and Martinelli the same freedom. Thomas Partey`s absence will be felt in the first leg, although Jorginho offers a capable alternative.
Even if this semi-final doesn`t go as planned, Arsenal are poised to return to this stage soon. This is a team that has consistently responded to setbacks over the past three years by improving and pushing their rivals harder. Only a series of unfortunate injuries derailed their Premier League campaign.
Crucially, some of the core players in this Arsenal squad are yet to reach their peak. They now understand their potential. Whenever William Saliba`s status as a world-class center-back is questioned, he simply needs to show the clip of him expertly intercepting Mbappe`s close-range shot, turning it into a goal kick. Penalty misses seem to galvanize Saka, who shortly after converted a skillful chip over Thibaut Courtois. Rice, at 26, has already delivered a Champions League performance that will define the Declan Rice quarterfinals, playing like one of the world`s top midfielders.
Arsenal have reclaimed their place among Europe`s elite, a position they haven`t held since the era of the Invincibles. They have achieved their most significant Champions League victory to date, or at least, their most significant so far.
