Arsenal Champions League quarter-final advantage vs Real Madrid explained with unexpected boost

Arsenal enjoyed a fun night in north London as they beat PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate (after a 2-2 draw on the night) to secure a totally dominant last-16 progression in the Champions League. With a rotated XI at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta largely got just the response he will have wanted from a fringe group of players.

Oleksandr Zinchenko netted his first-ever goal in the competition with a finish that Martin Odegaard would have been proud of, cutting inside onto his left foot and bending a strike into the far corner. Declan Rice then headed home his second of the week after Raheem Sterling rolled back the years to get himself beyond the full-back, whipping in a delightful cross.

Jorginho offered Couhaib Driouech the chance to equalise and he did just that from distance with a brilliant lob over David Raya. The PSV supporters were determined to have a good time regardless and it made for an enjoyable atmosphere.

A trip to Madrid now awaits. That was always the case but now Arsenal know that it is Real that they will be facing. Another feisty and close match between the old Spanish rivals took place on Wednesday with Carlo Ancelotti's side coming out on top, just.

As Arsenal knew when the draw for the knockout stages was made at the end of January, a visit to Madrid was on the cards if the business against PSV was done. That was never in doubt after last week's 7-1 obliteration.

What has changed is the domestic picture for both sides. Arsenal may well have been struggling to make a true title race with Liverpool but they were more in the mix a month ago than they are now.

Draws to Manchester United (on Sunday) and Nottingham Forest, as well as defeat to West Ham, have left Arsenal miles off the pace. Liverpool are so far in the clear now that Arteta is fooling nobody with his rallying cries.

The boss remains determined to try and make Arne Slot's men earn the title but it will not be enough. This allows Arsenal total focus on the European scene.

For a young team still learning the ropes at this level - after all, it is only their second season back in the Champions League - it could make all the difference. Arsenal have made mistakes at this stage in each of the past two years when competing on more than one front.

In 2023 they faltered in the Europa League against Sporting CP before handing Manchester City a route to the title. Injuries were an issue then and have been for Arteta in recent months as well. This time in 2024 they were much more consistent in the league but were narrowly beaten by Bayern Munich over two legs.

The defeat in Germany and subsequent mental blow that it was coincided with their decisive Premier League slip-up against Aston Villa. This time around, and with fitness problems throughout the squad, Arteta can (and surely must) put all of his eggs in the Champions League basket.

Compared to Madrid, it is a simple equation. Real are currently second in La Liga but only on goal difference. Barcelona are a long way ahead in this, which is effectively an extra point at this stage, but the gap is tiny.

Atletico are also competing in this and are only one adrift of the top in third. All three are also in the Copa del Rey (Spanish domestic cup) as well.

This leaves Real to do what they are used to, aiming to bring home success to the season on three fronts. Real are naturals at this and do it countless times, even when not seemingly at their best.

Arsenal will need to take advantage of not having the distraction of a title race or knockout commitment. It isn't what Arteta would have wanted but it has played out this way.

Madrid will be ready for whatever Arsenal can throw at them, and that is likely to include Bukayo Saka in a timely fashion. That is another key matter which cannot be ignored.

The small margins and areas that can be made into gains are more important in this tournament than any other. Arsenal know that themselves and their quarter-final opponents are experienced enough to have it squarely in their mind as well. With Arsenal not set to be the favourite either way, it could all hinge on this.

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