Marcelo fires strong warning as Real Madrid hope to catch out Arsenal repeating Man City trick

Put in a term that is only usually brought out for the festive period, Arsenal have only one more sleep until they take on Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Ever since Mikel Arteta's appointment at the Emirates Stadium, all of his and the club's hard work has been building up to such occasions of high esteem. To come out on top is an even better achievement.

To ensure that happens, they must hold tight to a three-goal advantage. That was earned when Real came to north London seven days ago and spectacularly fell flat on their faces.

Europe's reigning, 15-time champions are therefore wounded and Arsenal must prove they are able to finish the job. Doing so will place them three victories away from taking over the mantle in Munich's grand final.

Building up to the occasion, football.london analyses the latest headlines surrounding the Gunners, Real Madrid and their fateful upcoming clash.

Marcelo - "We have faith"

Although Real Madrid have themselves never returned from a three-goal aggregate deficit in the Champions League, it is a feat that has been done four times before.

Now Los Blancos' former five-time competition winner Marcelo has warned Arsenal: "You can never write off Real Madrid."

Interviewed by ESPN in Mexico for an El Clasico legends match, the retired Brazilian continued: "Although three goals is a lot of goals, but I am always thinking about Real Madrid and have a lot of faith that they'll come back. Real Madrid is Real Madrid and they always come back.

"The return leg is at the Bernabeu, the fans will push hard and the players are confident it can happen. Of course, we don't know what will happen, we have faith and Real Madrid will come back.

"I think that from the moment we joined Real Madrid, we're taught to never give up, and that's always been in our blood.

"It's been like this for many years, and apart from the DNA, it's hard work, humility, daily dedication, and the support of the fans as well. It's all part of making things work."

football.london says: Marcelo's courage for his former side is to be admired. They have it all to do on Wednesday. Having watched Real sneak through the knockouts so many times in recent seasons, sometimes even going on to win the Champions League, he's certainly correct. But Arsenal will know this, most importantly, and go to Spain with a game plan and buckets of confidence after last week's meeting. They cannot be written off either.

Real repeating Man City trick

According to multiple reports in Spain, Real have gained permission to close the retractable roof of the Santiago Bernabeu for Arsenal's visit this week.

The feature was added as part of the latest renovations of the venue to not only keep bad weather out, but lock a vibrant atmosphere in.

They were able to do the same last season when Manchester City were quarter-final visitors, drawing 3-3 en route to being knocked out via a penalty shoot-out to the eventual 2024 Champions League winners.

football.london says: Real can seek to influence the match how they please, Arsenal will have expected a hostile atmosphere regardless of an open or closed stadium. Arteta shouldn't let it come into his thinking with good reason - he cannot control this. Instead, all Arsenal efforts need to go into a foolproof game plan.