Paul Merson says Arsenal would rather face Atletico Madrid than Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals – do you agree? | Football news
Paul Merson believes that his former club Arsenal would better face Atletico Madrid than Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals – do you agree?
Gunners meet with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday in their last 16-year-old legs and everyone has been in the last eight after the first leg victory from 7-1 last week.
The next side of Mikel Arteta is faced either by Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, with Real held a 2-1 first leg lead in front of a return match on Wednesday at Metropolitano Wanda.
The statement is finely ready, but Merson believes that the N
Asked how far Arsenal can go to competition, Merson said Sky Sports News: “I think it depends on who wins from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
“I think if Atletico Madrid wins, Arsenal has a little chance. I think it will be a narrow game, Atletico Madrid does not smoke anyone – they play a certain football style.
“But if they play against Real Madrid, I don’t know if they will be able to live with them with a goal over two legs, especially with players who are out there for Arsenal.
“And I know they beat 7-1 the other day, but it was a bit of a polyphil. He covered the cracks.”
What do you think, who would be better to deal with Arsenal? Read further while making the case for both sides – and say your survey.
Real Madrid more desirable than a Atletico Low Block Masters?
Sky Sports’ Oliver Yew:
Arsenal’s problem has scored goals from the crossing of the year.
Injuries are a key factor in this. Any team would be lacking top notch when they miss them like Bukayo Saka, Kai Hvertz and Gabriel Jesus.
But the problem is increased when opposing the sides that pacify their defense, playing with a low block, and this has become a common occurrence, especially in the Premier League.
This is nothing new for Arsenal, but if they face Atetic Madrid, Diego Simeone, they would know exactly what is coming. Atletic’s resistant style looks adapted to cause a lot of Mikel Artea problems.
We have seen that in the semifinals of the Arsenal Europa League against Simeone’s side in 2018, although Arsene Wenger is still in charge. Atletico fought with 10 players for Remi 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium, before a 1-0 victory in Madrid saw her reach the finals as they continued to raise the trophy.
Last season, they also showed difficulties in Arsenal against defense sides in Europe, and Gunners needed penalties to pass robust porto clothing in the last 16 Champions Leagues.
There is one team that won’t play a low block: Real Madrid.
Praising like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr, this is not in their composition. And while Real can blow any side from the water on a day, their offensive style could help Arsenal.
We saw this against PSV, which left room for Arsenal to use.
He made it possible for Martin Odegaard to make progress and did not surprise to see Arsenal clicking into the gears to achieve seven, and the captain pulled the wires.
Of course, Real Madrid has the power of a star that Arsenal looks stupid. They are owners and they do not need to be underestimated.
But their style, over Atletico, could match Arsenal in their current wake.
A case to face Atletico over Real Madrid
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:
Atletico Madrid is an incredible opponent, but he really got stronger than Real Madrid in this tournament?
The winners won the competition more than twice as much as any other club, including, of course, last season, when they overcame Borussia Dortmund at Wembley in the finals.
Were not at the same level as in the last term in the country. There were also some glittering vulnerability early in the Champions League phase, when they were beaten three times by Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool. But don’t be fooled.
They go into their other leg, and Atletico won his last six consecutive Champions League matches, including both legs of his double bush with Manchester City, spoiled a whopping 19 goals in the process.
Their offensive fire power is certainly not flooded in European football, and although their defense is currently damaged by injuries, they remain an opponent of the nightmare, especially in Europe.
There is, of course, their aura to be considered. The biggest factor of the European success of Real Madrid is the quality of their players, but all these historical nights have also equipped them with the level of belief and durability that no other side possesses in this competition.
Consider being defeated by Bayern Munich in the semifinals last season, thanks to an extraordinary late double double replacement to Josel. Their victory over Manchester City in the same stage of the 2021/22 competition, which was two goals to stop from Rodryg and the winner of extra time from Karim Benzema, was even more amazing. Only Real Madrid can do this.
They would believe that the psychological advantage over Arsenal, just as any side, would not neglect their willingness to sit and frustrate opponents, while waiting for the possibilities to release Vinicius, Mbappe and the rest on the counter.
In last year’s quarterfinals, they overcame Manchester City, eventually on penalties, while on average they owned about two legs on average. They are pragmatic under Carl Ancelotti, a record five -time winner of the competition as a manager. It should be afraid – more than Atletico.
Follow Arsenal VS PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid VS Real Madrid in Sky Sports Blog live on Wednesday on our digital platforms; Start from 8:00 pm
