It wasn’t just Arsenal’s fans who were left buzzing after their stunning win over Real Madrid—it was a night that even touched the heart of legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti.
After the final whistle blew at the Bernabeu, all eyes were on the scoreboard.
Arsenal had done it. They knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League with a dominant 5-1 aggregate win.
But something even more special happened quietly on the touchline—a warm embrace and sincere exchange between two managers.
Arteta Shares a Classy Moment with Ancelotti
Following the high-stakes match, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta spoke about a personal moment he shared with Ancelotti—the kind of conversation that doesn’t make the stats sheet but says everything about mutual respect in football.
“He was really warm and kind,” Arteta said, describing the chat in an interview with Movistar. “He told me he hopes we go on to win it. He was genuinely happy for us.”
Considering Ancelotti’s stature—five Champions League titles to his name—that kind of support speaks volumes.
The Match That Sealed It All
Arsenal came into the second leg with a solid 3-0 lead from their first outing. But the drama wasn’t over just yet.
In a tense first half, Bukayo Saka missed a penalty and Real Madrid’s own shout for a spot-kick was overturned by VAR. The score remained locked at 0-0 by halftime.
Then came redemption. Saka made up for the miss by scoring the opener in the second half. Vinicius Jr. quickly responded for Madrid, injecting tension back into the night.
But Gabriel Martinelli had the final say—smashing home a goal in the 92nd minute, sealing a 2-1 win on the night and a 5-1 aggregate triumph.
Next Stop: A Showdown with PSG
Now, Arsenal have their eyes set on the semi-finals where they’ll face Paris Saint-Germain.
The first leg takes place at the Emirates on April 29, with the return leg in Paris on May 7.
If they can carry this momentum forward, it could be a very special season for Arteta and his squad.
Meanwhile, Barcelona will face Inter Milan in the other semi-final tie, setting the stage for a possible all-Spanish or all-English final, depending on how things unfold.
Is This the End of the Road for Ancelotti at Madrid?
Despite his gracious words, it’s hard to ignore the pressure mounting on Ancelotti.
Real Madrid crashing out in the quarter-finals—something that hasn’t happened since 2004—has left many questioning his future.
When asked directly whether this might have been his last Champions League match with Madrid, Ancelotti kept it cool.
“That’s always up to the club. If they decide to make a change, I’ll thank them for everything.
I’m at peace with whatever happens,” he said.
His contract runs until 2026, but the rumor mill is spinning fast—especially with the Brazil national team job still up for grabs.
With Dorival Junior recently sacked, there are whispers that Ancelotti might make the leap to international management sooner than expected.
Ancelotti’s Respect for Arteta and Arsenal Runs Deep
This wasn’t the first time Ancelotti has heaped praise on Arsenal.
Before the first leg in London, he had already shown admiration for Arteta’s work.
“He’s built a complete team,” the Italian coach said.
“There aren’t many sides in Europe that do everything well like Arsenal do. They’re strong now, and they’ll be even stronger in the future.”
After watching Arsenal dismantle his own team over two legs, that statement holds even more weight.
Arsenal Make a Statement on the European Stage
This is Arsenal’s first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009, and they didn’t just scrape through—they did it by dominating one of the most decorated clubs in football history.
With a massive tie against PSG looming, the real test lies ahead.
But with Arteta’s tactical brilliance, the passion of young stars like Saka and Martinelli, and even Ancelotti quietly rooting for them from the sidelines—Arsenal fans have every reason to dream big.