Real Madrid vs Arsenal LIVE: Latest Champions League team news and updates – UK Times

Arsenal have scored an average of 2.55 goals and conceded 0.55 per game in the Champions League this season (28 scored, six conceded overall).

Both of these stats are their second-best averages in a single European Cup/Champions League campaign, after the 2.63 scored in 2010-11 and 0.31 conceded in 2005-06.

Arsenal could equal their longest winning run away from home in the European Cup/Champions League (4).

The only previous time they won four in a row, the fourth game of that run was a victory against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu (1-0 in February 2006, last 16 first leg).

Since the start of the 2015-16 season, this will be the 16th time that Real Madrid have played the second leg of a Champions League knockout stage tie at home.

Of the previous 15, they’ve only been eliminated on one occasion (vs Ajax in the last 16 in 2018-19), and progressed from the last eight in a row.

Across the 53 games that Real Madrid have played against English sides in the European Cup/Champions League, they’ve managed to win by more than three goals on just two previous occasions: 5-1 v Derby County in 1975-76 (last 16) and 4-0 v Tottenham Hotspur in 2010-11 (quarter-final).

Real Madrid’s defeat at the Emirates Stadium was the fifth time they have lost the first leg of a knockout stage tie in the European Cup/Champions League by 3+ goals.

They’ve been eliminated in the second leg in three of the previous four occasions (the exception being against Derby County in the last 16 in 1975-76, winning 6-5 on aggregate after a 1-4 defeat in the first leg).

As David Raya walked out of the cavernous Bernabeu media room, having said Arsenal are “super-convinced” they can win – and then repeating it – Mikel Arteta gave him a knowing nod. The right message had been sent. Something was needed to counter “the narrative”, as the Gunners boss put it.

Arsenal remain unbeaten against Real Madrid in European competition (two wins, one draw), and haven’t conceded a single goal across their three meetings.

The Gunners could become the first side ever to keep four consecutive clean sheets against Los Blancos in the European Cup or Champions League.

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli

Ancelotti added: “The Bernabéu has magic, and everyone knows it’s a special atmosphere.

“We need a bit of everything: quality and a complete performance, both physically and collectively. Not one of these things can go wrong.

“The motivation is there, and now I want the players to be calm before the game. I’m clear that we’re going to give it our all.”

Carlo Ancelotti spoke about the prospect of Real Madrid overturning their three goal deficit in tonight’s Champions League quarter-final.

The Real Madrid coach said: “We have the quality to turn this tie around, along with the commitment, the experience and the fans.

“The resources are there, and now it’s time to bring our best. Mentally we’re doing very well, and we have to have good control of the game.”