Ex-Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes “there is a chance” of his former club upsetting the odds when they face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Mikel Arteta’s side will be underdogs and, speaking to pokerfirma.com, Petit said that the Gunners would need a lot to go in their favour to secure their passage through to the next round:
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“Real Madrid are the best team in the Champions League so far. If Arsenal are able to play as a team, if they are able to show strong character to play as a unit, why not? I think that there is a chance to go through but it’s Real Madrid, and without strikers that could be very difficult.”
“We all know that Real Madrid are not at the peak compared to recent years. They are struggling, especially in midfield, but they have so many talented players, individuals that can make the difference. And again, this club has a special link with the Champions League. Every time the music plays, something turns on in their head.”
“They change, and they seem to have the X factor every time they play in the Champions League. So it will be a huge, huge thing to go through against Real Madrid. For me, Arsenal are contenders, but they are not favourites in those games.”
What are the chances of Arsenal beating Real over two legs?
Bookmakers actually have Arteta’s men as slight favourites to win the first leg at the Emirates next week, but they will find things tough at the Bernabeu.
Of course, Arsenal are known to be strong defensively and that could prove crucial across the tie, especially if (as Petit points out) Real are not at their best.
Arteta has been handed a huge injury boost ahead of the 2 games
Bukayo Saka has been pictured back in training for the first time since Decebmer. Considering how important the winger is to Arsenal’s attack, he could play a big role if the Gunners do defy the odds and manage to get past Real.
A lot will depend on the forward’s fitness. He will be available to feature, but the fact that he has been sidelined for over three months means there will be questions about his match sharpness. Even so, having him back in the fold will delight both Mikel Arteta and fans alike.
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