Arsenal and Real Madrid are set to face off in the Champions League quarter-finals, marking their first meeting in 18 years.
While the Gunners secured their place by comfortably defeating PSV, Madrid had a dramatic path to the next round, edging out Atletico Madrid in a tense penalty shootout.
Now, with the football world anticipating this high-stakes encounter, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has shared his thoughts on what Mikel Arteta’s squad must do to stand a chance against the Spanish giants.
Lessons from 2006: The Power of Belief
Henry knows exactly what it takes to topple Real Madrid in this competition—after all, he did it himself.
Back in 2006, Arsenal were seen as underdogs, yet Henry’s stunning solo goal at the Bernabeu secured a famous victory.
Drawing from that experience, he emphasized one crucial factor: belief.
“If you go into the game thinking Madrid are already better than you, you’ve lost before the match even starts,” Henry stated.
He recalled how, at the time, many in Spain dismissed Arsenal’s chances, but the team refused to be intimidated.
The same mindset, he argues, is essential for this generation of Gunners.
The Challenge of Facing Real Madrid
Henry acknowledged that even when teams play exceptionally well against Madrid, it’s often still not enough.
He pointed out examples like Atletico Madrid and Manchester City, who have pushed Los Blancos to their limits but still fallen short.
“You need the perfect game,” he stressed.
“From the moment the referee blows the whistle, everything has to be spot on—defensively, offensively, mentally. Even then, it might not be enough.”
A Test of Arsenal’s Mentality
The message from the Arsenal icon is clear: the team must step onto the pitch with complete confidence.
Anything less, and Madrid’s experience, squad depth, and winning mentality will take over.
Henry’s advice is not just about tactics but about mindset.
“If you don’t believe you can win, don’t even play,” he said bluntly.
With one of the biggest challenges in European football ahead of them, Arsenal now has the opportunity to prove whether they can rise to the occasion.
Can Arteta’s squad make history like Henry’s team did nearly two decades ago? The football world will be watching.