Arsenal advance on away goals

Champions League

Santiago Bernabeu

Attendance - 70,644

The Champions league the pinnacle of club football so few have had the chance to shine on the grandest stage of them all. Away from the madness of the English TFF league a number of English clubs have taken on Europe. Chelsea, Leeds, Watford, Leicester and Arsenal are all primed for a shot at European glory having made it all the way into the Semi-Finals of the Champions League and Europa League respectfully.

Arsenal 1-0 down in the tie already after Madrid's 1-0 win in London with the huge advantage of the away goal and of course 70,000 Spanish fan cheering and willing the club on for their 13th win in the competition. There was history here, Madrid knocking Arsenal out the very same competition last season.

Arsenal hadn't won in 3 games vs the Spanish giants and with manager Ben Clifford calling out the Spanish team as one to avoid in the draw after his side came out on top in Rome against Roma. The pressure was on and a up hill battle to reach the semi-finals loomed. Arsenal had already faced though Spanish opposition in the group stages this season with Villarreal CF.

First Half

Arsenal started life under the cosh, Christensen now a starter for the club since the exit of Hummels picking up a early yellow card for brining down Coentrao he would have to be extremely careful for the rest of the match. Madrid's early spell of pressure was unrelenting and they got of to the best possible start when Brazilian, Willian a man Arsenal have reportedly shown interest in these last few months opened the scoring. James Rodriguez brought back in from the cold playing a nice threaded ball into the path of Willian playing on the shoulder of the Arsenal defence away he went before slotting past Arsenal man Lloris. 1-0 Madrid (2-0 Agg) Arsenal needed two goals now.

Neymar, back in the red of Arsenal was playing well once again with Messi recreating their Barcelona days both showing signs of the fight that would be required for Arsenal to get back into this tie. Arsenal were given a penalty soon after the opening Madrid goal. Messi converting from the spot how he enjoys goals against Los Blancos. Real Madrid 1-1 Arsenal (2-1 Agg).

English man Sterling had returned to the fold after the sale of Asensio one that funded partly the return of Neymar was showing his class linking up down the left with Azpilicueta who found himself rather close to the Madrid goal in the 34th minute. Closer to the goal then manager Ben Clifford would have liked but the end result of the move ending with a goal for the Spanish left back proved to be one that would have him jumping for joy. Arsenal leading 2-1 and with 2 away goals going through (2-2 Agg)

Madrid with all their quality and European experience knew a response was needed and needed quickly with that in mind it took a measly 4 minutes for that response. Coentrao poping up in a almost double take of Azpilicueta's goal poking the ball into the Arsenal net. Madrid 2-2 Arsenal (Madrid winning 3-2Agg) Arsenal heading home.

Second Half

Arsenals season was really looking like going up into smoke now. A cup final loss to Chelsea a couple of weeks ago, Liverpool now having replaced them at the Top of the English Division 1 and now a exit from Europe. The fans, media and pundits alike starting to access where it went wrong for Arsenal.

Ben Clifford had sent the team back out knowing that as it stood a single goal would be enough. Easier said then done having to score, and keep Madrid at bay. The second half looked to be a cagey affair with that knowledge both firmly in the minds of both teams. Madrid not pushing to much and Arsenal keen not to concede another. Something needed to happen for Arsenal as it stood they would be the ones crashing out of Europe.

The moment of the match Mbappe who has recently been hailed as the buy of the season so far with 16 goals and 24 Assists in all competitions this season took the bull by the horns. Running all night at Marcelo had taken its toll on the Brazilian left back, again the young forward running past in behind the Madrid back line. One look up was all that was required a well hit cross into the path of who else but Messi another goal against Madrid.

Arsenal 3-2 Madrid (3-3Agg) Arsenal going through to the semis on away goals. Madrid needed to react.

Firmly with the knowledge that the bare minimum was being achieved Arsenal sat back happy to soak up the Madrid pressure. Madrid couldn't reply to that knock out goal and Arsenal achieved History in beating the Spanish outfit for the first time.

Arsenals road to the Final now see's them having to go through the brick wall that is Juventus, the semi-final draw keeping them apart from rivals Chelsea and Barcelona. With a potential 20M prize fund at stake its all hands on deck now for the final few games of the season.