Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has expressed confidence in Arsenal’s ability to eliminate Real Madrid as they prepare for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After a commanding 3-0 first-leg victory at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal carry a significant advantage to Spain. Goals from Declan Rice, who netted twice, and Mikel Merino gave Mikel Arteta’s side a vital cushion in what was a dominant display against the 14-time European champions.
However, Partey has urged his teammates to remain focused and approach the second leg with the right mentality. Speaking after Arsenal’s weekend 1-1 Premier League draw with Brentford, in which he scored, the midfielder acknowledged the gravity of the task ahead, despite their current lead.
“I think we’ve experienced this many times when we play here [at the Emirates], and I think it’s not going to be something different,” Partey told the club’s official channel.
“We all know what we have to do. We have to go there with the mentality to win. We want to win every game.”
The second leg at the Bernabeu is expected to be a fierce battle. Despite their advantage, Arsenal will be wary of Real Madrid’s pedigree in European competitions, especially their reputation for historic comebacks. The Spanish giants, under Carlo Ancelotti, have bounced back from tougher situations in the past, and Arteta will be keen to ensure complacency doesn’t creep into his squad.
Partey, who has recently returned to top form after recovering from injury, is expected to play a crucial role in midfield as Arsenal aim to manage the game and prevent Madrid from gaining momentum.
Advancing past Madrid would see Arsenal reach the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2009, a significant milestone in the club’s recent resurgence under Arteta. Their potential opponents in the last four will be either Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) or Aston Villa, depending on the outcome of their quarterfinal tie.
Arteta has consistently emphasized the importance of mentality, and Partey’s words echo the manager’s philosophy. The Gunners will rely on their defensive solidity, midfield control, and counter-attacking precision to see out the result in Spain.
For Partey, the tie is another opportunity to contribute to what could be a historic season for Arsenal, as they continue to fight on multiple fronts including the Premier League title race.
With the stage set for another Champions League classic at the Bernabeu, Arsenal fans will hope their side remains composed and professional to seal a memorable progression into the semifinals.
