Arsenal continues to impress on the European stage. After a 3-0 win in the first leg, the Gunners confirmed their dominance with a 2-1 victory at Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. Mikel Arteta’s men took full advantage of Madrid’s defensive lapses, notably with a brilliant team move finished by a delicate chip from Bukayo Saka—an inspired and clinical Arsenal on display.
The officiating, often a hot topic, was flawless that evening. French referee François Letexier, sometimes criticized in Ligue 1, proved his worth in the electrifying atmosphere of the Santiago Bernabeu. His handling of the match, especially his VAR decisions, was praised for its fairness and composure—even under pressure from some agitated Madrid players.
The first goal, built smoothly between Merino, Odegaard, Rice, and Saka, was a throwback to Arsenal’s golden days of flowing football. Long seen as an attractive yet ineffective team in the Champions League, the London club now seems to have found the formula to truly shine on the European stage. A well-deserved qualification for the semi-finals that has Gunners fans dreaming big.
