It doesn’t get much bigger than this. Arsenal fans have waited two decades for a night like the one ahead — a high-stakes European showdown under the lights at the Emirates.
On Tuesday, the Gunners welcome football royalty, Real Madrid, for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
And according to manager Mikel Arteta, his team is more than ready to rise to the occasion.
Arteta Says Arsenal Are Fired Up and Ready to Deliver
Mikel Arteta couldn’t hide his excitement ahead of what he called one of the club’s biggest nights in 20 years.
Speaking passionately, the Arsenal boss said this is exactly the kind of moment that drew him into management — and especially to a club like Arsenal.
“Sixty thousand fans, fully behind us, believing we can beat Real Madrid — that’s the energy we need,” he said. “We’re going to throw everything at this.”
With the Premier League title slipping out of reach and domestic cups already off the table, the Champions League represents Arsenal’s last real shot at silverware this season.
But standing in their way? The most decorated club in the competition’s history — 15-time winners Real Madrid.
A Major Blow in Defense, But Confidence Still High
Unfortunately, Arsenal will have to face Madrid without key defender Gabriel, who picked up a season-ending hamstring injury during last week’s match against Fulham.
It’s a tough loss, but Arteta remains confident in the squad.
And there’s reason to be hopeful — Arsenal have been strong in Europe this season, losing just one of their last ten matches.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have looked slightly shaky by their standards, with four losses in their previous 12 Champions League games.
These two teams haven’t faced each other in a competitive match since 2006, when Arsenal edged the Spanish giants 1–0 on aggregate in the Round of 16.
Madrid’s Stars Cleared to Play as Arteta Calls for a Roaring Crowd
Madrid come into the tie with a star-studded squad featuring Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Júnior.
UEFA has given the green light for all to play — including Mbappé, Vinícius, Antonio Rüdiger, and Dani Ceballos — after an investigation into post-match gestures made during their win over rivals Atlético Madrid.
That’s all the more reason for Arsenal fans to bring the noise.
Arteta made a special request to the supporters: “We need the crowd with us from the warm-up.
Every ball, every tackle — we need them playing this game with us. That kind of energy can make a massive difference.”
Saka Focused on Silverware, Not Contract Talks
Meanwhile, star winger Bukayo Saka is keeping his eyes on the prize — and that’s trophies, not contract negotiations.
The 23-year-old, who signed a deal in 2023 that keeps him at the club until 2027, made it clear he’s not stressing about extensions just yet.
“I want to win, and I want to win wearing this badge,” Saka said.
“The fans know how much I love them — they showed that when I returned against Fulham. I’m really happy here. We’re not in a rush.”
