Thierry Henry shares the key to Arsenal defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League – ‘If you step onto the pitch against Real Madrid
Thierry Henry believes Arsenal’s only path to victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League lies in their mindset. According to the club legend, Mikel Arteta’s squad must truly believe they can win; otherwise, their efforts will be in vain. Henry warns that entering the match with any doubts will make it nearly impossible to overcome the reigning European champions.
Real Madrid, known for their resilience, secured their quarter-final spot after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid, despite trailing 1-0 in regulation.
Now, they prepare to face Arsenal for the first time in a competitive match since 2006. Henry, who played a key role in Arsenal’s historic 1-0 win at the Bernabeu that year, recalls how belief and determination helped the team progress to the quarter-finals, where they met Juventus.
Once again, Arsenal finds itself as the underdog. Henry stresses that even playing perfectly over both legs won’t be enough unless Arteta instills confidence in his players. The former striker insists that Arsenal must not see Real Madrid as unbeatable. Reflecting on his past experiences, Henry recalls how many doubted his Arsenal team’s ability to defeat Madrid in 2006, especially in Spain.
“If you step onto the pitch thinking Real Madrid is superior, with their 15 Champions League titles compared to Arsenal’s none, you might as well not play,” Henry asserts. “If you approach the game with a passive mindset, waiting to see what happens, you’ve already lost.”
He emphasizes that winning starts with belief. Drawing examples from football history, Henry cites Greece’s improbable Euro 2004 victory and Leicester City’s Premier League triumph as proof that underdogs can prevail. However, he acknowledges that faith alone doesn’t guarantee success; it must be backed by flawless execution.
Henry also highlights how Manchester City and Atletico Madrid have come close to eliminating Real Madrid in recent years, but even their strong performances weren’t always enough. He insists Arsenal must be perfect from the first whistle, as Real Madrid will exploit any mistakes.
Arteta, aware of the challenge, emphasizes the need for complete focus. “You cannot afford to make mistakes against Real Madrid,” he warns. “The game will be decided in the penalty areas, where individual quality is crucial. We must also create an intense atmosphere at home.”
Arsenal’s return to the quarter-finals last season ended in a narrow defeat to Bayern Munich. Arteta hopes his team has learned from that experience and will now prove they are stronger, capable of achieving their goals in this year’s campaign.
