Three talking points from Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal | OneFootball

Real Madrid planned all the arrangements required to shake Arsenal up ahead of kickoff, right from the banter online to the repeated circulation of videos of their previous comebacks.

They even closed the roof of the Santiago Bernabeu to amp up the noise but simply forgot to turn up on the field.

When the talk of the town was the need for an early goal, they simply did not threaten Arsenal’s goal and went through the opening 45 minutes with the scoreline still reading 0-0.

In fact, they were lucky to be at the stalemate for Bukayo Saka missed a penalty that would have killed off the tie.

After the break, it was Mikel Arteta’s side who took the lead first but Real Madrid pulled one back after Arsenal gifted them a goal with a defensive howler.

In the end, however, the visitors held on and even scored a late goal to win the game at the Bernabeu and register a staggering 5-1 win on aggregate.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points from Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal.

Devoid of conviction

Comebacks are not made on social media, and the hype around the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, in retrospect, was unwarranted.

The Real Madrid dressing room went a step too far, trying to play a psychological game and project an image that they are willing to put everything on the line to knock Arsenal out. From interviews to social media hints, they left no stone unturned.

When the time to actually turn up arrived, however, there was not a single Real Madrid player bar Thibaut Courtois who was willing to put their hand up and take responsibility.

Comebacks at Real Madrid have not historically happened because of the magic of the crest but because of individuals willing to throw the kitchen sink in exchange for UEFA Champions League glory.

Entering last night’s clash at 3-0 down, it was blatantly obvious that Real Madrid should look to attack from the get-go and put pressure on the Gunners. Yet, at no stage in the game did they look convinced about their purpose or intentions.

Arsenal were superior to Los Blancos once again, and Real Madrid failed to have any control over the midfield. The forwards showed no interest in taking shots despite the scoreline and it appeared as though the first-leg result was completely forgotten.

Dominated and eliminated

Arsenal dumped Real Madrid out of the UCL with ease. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Over the two legs against Arsenal, there is not a ten-minute spell of play that can justify Real Madrid being superior on the field and their elimination is well warranted.

The kings of Europe, after all, have not quite been on song in the competition all season and the quarterfinal in itself appears like an overachievement at this point.

At one point, they were close to facing elimination from the group stage but collected themselves and made it to the quarterfinal. Julian Alvarez’s controversial slip gave them the win over Atletico Madrid, else they may well have been eliminated in the Round of 16.

Arsenal were simply too strong for Real Madrid to handle over two legs, and that in itself shows how far down the mighty have fallen.

Playing in a must-win situation last night, Los Blancos managed to create an xG of just 1.41 while Arsenal who were under no compulsion to score racked up 2.03. They had just one big chance to Arsenal’s three and had no personality.

Their elimination from the competition they usually rule is more than warranted given the lack of character they have shown time and time again. Serious questions have to be asked.

What next for Real Madrid?

The aftermath of Real Madrid’s collapse in Europe is still beginning to unfold, but it is clear that drastic measures have to be taken immediately.

For starters, the result last night marked Real Madrid’s third defeat in four games and it is critical that the management find an immediate fix to stop the bleeding. A trophy-less season, after all, is a real possibility at this point.

In the medium term, however, Real Madrid’s early elimination from the Champions League means the board have drastic decisions to take not only in terms of the management but also the squad as a whole.

Carlo Ancelotti will likely be the first party to face the heat and his sacking appears imminent after the humiliation in Europe. It was always known that failure in the UCL would mean the end of the road for him and his cycle has surely ended now.

Apart from the management, however, the disaster against Arsenal highlights several lacunae in Real Madrid’s squad and they will be addressed in terms of both signings and harsh departures.

The likes of Lucas Vazquez and David Alaba who proved to be liabilities on the big night may well face the music for their repeated inconsistencies.

Signing new full-backs and midfielders, meanwhile, is the need of the hour for Real Madrid were simply left exposed in both departments.

There is room for a shock departure as well, especially given Vinicius Jr.’s disastrous form and failure to adapt to the system with Kylian Mbappe.