Arsenal: Special night at the Bernabeu shows Mikel Arteta's dream can become a reality | OneFootball

Dismantling of Real Madrid underlines why Arsenal can win the Champions League

Mikel Arteta made two bold declarations before Arsenal’s trip to Real Madrid.

Arteta was true to his word and Wednesday’s 2-1 victory will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest nights in Arsenal’s history.

This was a performance that underlined why the Gunners are genuine contenders to win the Champions League.

Arteta’s Arsenal dismantled Real Madrid over two legs to reach the Champions League semi-finals

Action Images via Reuters

Never mind contenders, some would even have them as favourites given they have just dumped out the holders and 15-time winners 5-1 on aggregate.

Arsenal outplayed Real Madrid in both legs. The Spanish giants had just six shots on target across the two games and their goal was gifted to them by a rare William Saliba error.

For all the talk of comebacks and Real Madrid’s star-studded forward line, they were shut down by Arsenal’s defence, which looks the best in Europe.

Even with Jakub Kiwior standing in for Gabriel, Arsenal look so solid at the back and they will relish the test of stopping Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.

Such is Arteta’s mindset, that he was already talking about that tie barely an hour after surely the finest win of his managerial career.

Arteta believes his side’s journey in the Champions League this season is far from over and it is hard to argue with him.

“We are really happy [but] certainly not satisfied,” said Arteta. “It’s a team that you can feel how hungry, how determined and ambitious that is to go. We’re going for more, for sure.

Declan Rice was outstanding at the Bernabeu as Arsenal booked a semi-final showdown with Paris Saint-Germain

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“I think it (this win) shows the capacity of the team, that against any opponent, when we are at our best, we can perform. Especially with adversity and a lot of players that are not even involved here. The way we are doing it, I think it’s special.”

Arteta has always believed his players can compete with Europe’s elite and this quarter-final triumph over Real Madrid will fill them with confidence that they really can.

The manner of victory was what made this so impressive.

In the first leg, they blew Madrid away during a blistering display in the second half. On Wednesday, they showed a different side and played with maturity as they coped with the hostile atmosphere and rode out the early storm.

Bukayo Saka’s penalty miss did not faze them and they kept Real Madrid at bay in the first half, so much so the hosts did not have a shot on target.

After the break, Arsenal settled and the fact the away fans were chanting “ole” as their team popped the ball around barely 10 minutes into the second half underlined how they had found their rhythm.

Arsenal have no-one to fear in the Champions League after dumping out Real Madrid

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The midfield was key to that. Declan Rice was, in the words of Arteta, “immense” and covered every blade of the Bernabeu turf.

Thomas Partey was equally impressive and he and Rice misplaced just one pass all night.

Indeed, the only negative from the win is that Partey picked up a yellow card late on that means he is suspended for the first leg with PSG in two weeks’ time at Emirates Stadium.

Not for the first time this season, that may force Arteta to get creative - but this win showed how he can.

Mikel Merino continues to defy the odds by excelling as a No9 and he set up both goals in the second leg to add to his strike in the first.

Arteta believes his side have “momentum” now and he also admitted after this he has never been prouder of his players.

“Not only because we’re in the semi-final for the third time in our history now, but also because of the way we did it,” he said.

“Not only because of the way we played, but also because of the circumstances, the amount of injuries we had. That shows the character of this team, of this club, and it’s a night to be very proud of.”

It was certainly a night those lucky Arsenal fans up in the gods of the Bernabeu will be proud of - and one they will never forget.

A difficult season suddenly feels like it could turn into an unforgettable one and, whatever happens from here, Arsenal will always have these special two games against Real Madrid.

But Arteta and his players will now be dreaming of so much more.