Mikel Arteta Credits Pep Guardiola for Tactical Insights in Arsenal's Historic Victory Over Real Madrid
In a night that will be etched in Arsenal's history, Mikel Arteta's side delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. The Emirates Stadium witnessed a tactical masterclass, and Arteta revealed that his former mentor, Pep Guardiola, played a pivotal role in shaping the team's approach.
Arteta, who worked closely with Guardiola during his tenure as an assistant coach at Manchester City, sought advice from the Catalan tactician ahead of the high-stakes clash. "We spoke with Pep a few days ago, and I wanted to ask him for some advice," Arteta shared in his post-match interview. "It's important to learn from the best, and his insights were invaluable."
The Gunners showcased a cohesive and disciplined performance, exploiting Real Madrid's defensive vulnerabilities.
Declan Rice emerged as the star of the evening, scoring two stunning free-kicks, while Mikel Merino sealed the victory with a clinical finish. Arsenal's midfield dominance and strategic overloads left the 15-time European champions struggling to find their rhythm.
Arteta emphasized the significance of the win, calling it a historic moment for the club. "When you haven't played against Real Madrid in 20 years and haven't made a long run in the Champions League, you have to make history," he remarked. However, he remained cautious, acknowledging the challenge of the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. "We’re clear about the performance we played, but we’ll talk about the game we have to play in Madrid."
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