itstargetnews
Paul Merson previewed the Champions League quarterfinals in the latest Sky Sports column, with Arsenal and Aston Villa in action.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners faced holders and 15-time Champions League champion Real Madrid, ranking first in the UAE match on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, Villa one day later, they beat Premier League leader Liverpool in the final round when they visited Paris Saint-Germain. The tie saw Unai Emery and Marco Asensio visit their former club.
Read the following to learn about the Magician’s thoughts about the last eight conflicts…
“Arsenal must win the first leg – probably at least two leg”
Please use Chrome for easier access to video players
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks forward to his team’s Champions League quarterfinals clash with Real Madrid and begged for Gunners supporters to create a “special atmosphere” on Emirates.
Arsenal must win the first leg. Winning a win is a minimum, and I think they have to win at least twice.
We saw this in the quarterfinals of Bayern Munich in last year, and Bayern was comfortable with Bayern after the UAE drew 2-2. And I can’t see Real Madrid not scoring two goals at the Bernabeu.
It’s doing pretty well now. Arsenal will hurt them because Real has acknowledged too many goals at the moment.
Please use Chrome for easier access to video players
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka said he felt fresh in his spirit after he got out of the layoffs as his side prepares for the Champions League quarterfinal against Holder Real Madrid.
They lost to Valencia on the weekend, they lost to Real Sociedad in Bernabeu, and in the second leg of the Cup they beat 2-1 and won 3-2 before returning.
But despite their poor performance, they always show up in the Champions League. This is Arsenal’s concern.
It should really be against Atletico Madrid, they found a way. I remember a few years ago when they played against Chelsea in the 2022 knockout stage, Chelsea was comfortable at the Bernabeu, but Luka Modric played one of the greatest passes I’ve ever seen outside the boots to save them.
If Arsenal can get a two-goal lead in the first leg, I think they have a chance.
This is a big demand for Arsenal – but I won’t judge Mikel Arteta here. You have to weigh it, they don’t have a center and lose the centre-back at Gabriel.
Next season, I judge Arteta to win center. If they won’t win the league after getting a central defender, I think he’ll be in big trouble.
“Gabriel’s injury damages Arsenal’s chances”
Please use Chrome for easier access to video players
Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes was forced to get a hamstring injury in the win over Fulham, meaning the centre-back will miss the Gunners’ huge Champions League clash with Real Madrid and for the rest of the season.
I think it’s a 50:50 chance when Bukayo Saka comes back due to injury. But now, with Gabriel getting injured, I say 25%.
If you have the option of Saka and Gabriel on these two legs, then you will choose Gabriel. Because the way Arsenal will win this victory is if they make it as a cage cup tie. If it’s a football game, there’s only one winner.
Saliba and Gabriel make each other better. They were like Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, and they played better together.
If he was a man who started it, it was a big problem with Jakub Kiwior. Jurrien Timber has only played once or twice at the centre-back, and Ben White has been playing for a long time.
You’re asking someone who barely competes – because he’s not as good as the other two – to reach the Champions League quarterfinals. Kiwior is OK, but he is not Arsenal.
And you want Kiwior Mark he. Kylian Mbappe, the best in the world are Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, or at least in the top three.
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe is a dangerous man at Arsenal
He plays on his shoulders and if he passes, I just can’t see anyone grabbing him.
I think it’s my Arsenal’s concern. They will have to win this football game, sometimes having to chase the game. That’s a dangerous place.
“Rashford’s pace could hurt the villa”
I have a good feeling about Villa Aston.
It’s a difficult person for villas, but they have 100% of their pace to hurt PSG in counterattack and cunning people.
They will have a chance at the pace of Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers and John McGinn.
Villa will have to play a counterattack game, and if PSG does push people forward, I only remember when Rashford will do it with his PSG at Manchester United.
Please use Chrome for easier access to video players
Did Marcus Rashford score Ozil-style chopping in Aston Villa’s first Premier League goal?
My only concern is that I will never see what Aston Villa did against Liverpool against PSG in the first leg. That night, any other cup game in the world would be in the world.
But Liverpool was much better in the second leg. I thought they destroyed PSG and he couldn’t leave their half that night. That might be the PSG that appears.
But what I’m worried about is the first leg against Liverpool. If PSG plays anywhere, it will be hard for Aston Villa.
The first round in Paris may also be a game where PSG hurts Villa more. PSG will come out, and I think Villa can play such high lines compared to the usual games.
And, if they do, you’ll catch Ousmane Dembele in a month.
Please use Chrome for easier access to video players
Highlights of the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
I think if Villa lost one in the first leg in Paris, then they have a chance. I think Villa will score in this game.
The only thing is that you don’t have a long distance goal – I think it’s the worst rule change I’ve ever seen.
The goal of that away game is the name of the game, and that’s all Europe’s purpose. All it does is you can go out and stay negative in the first round.
If you beat 1-0 1-0, you’re now making a big run in Europe. When I played in Europe you were beaten 1-0 and it was a cruel result.
