Arsenal vs Real Madrid: The Anti-Galácticos

As we’ve seen once again in this season’s knockout stages, Real – now fused with Mbappé’s vertical DNA – are most lethal when gifted 45 metres of open space behind an opponent’s back line. Hence, with Arteta increasingly leaning towards a more conservative, controlled approach in recent years, it’s safe to assume neither side will willingly offer the other that kind of depth – unless forced to by match circumstances.

Just like in the Madrid derby in the round of 16, we can expect a mutual nullification of vertical threats, resulting in a slowed tempo and shared tactical caution. A tightly strung tremolo stretched across 90 minutes – the kind of tension that defines Champions League football. While a goalless draw might not warrant a refund for precious tickets, sooner or later, the deadlock will inevitably be broken. That said, turning points in such matches often occur on the fringes of conventional categories (set attacks, transitions, etc.) — matches that, as the saying goes, are decided by the smallest of margins.

These tipping points are also more often individual than collective. In what could become a cold, cagey affair, the opening goal will be more critical than ever. Especially for Arsenal, who will be desperate not to sabotage their chances ahead of what would inevitably be a hellish second leg if they take a favorable result from the first. In that context, high defensive phases will likely be few and far between – and when they do occur, Arsenal’s centre-backs will need to handle them with absolute precision.

We previously covered the offensive lessons from Real Madrid’s play-off clash with Manchester City. What emerged is a system that, while more mechanised than in previous years, retains a fluid edge. It can be summarised by several recurring patterns:

The formation of a diamond shape on the ball side, composed of full-back – no.8 – no.10 – winger

While the opposite no.6 drops to cover the defence

And Mbappé, along with the far-side winger, is given complete freedom to find or create an angle for a through pass

This angled passing lane is created precisely by the stretching of the opposing block. And in this configuration, being outnumbered almost becomes an asset. That’s the first tactical stress test awaiting Arsenal’s likely makeshift centre-back pairing: Kiwior and Saliba.

Although Arsenal’s defensive record has been impressive overall – they didn’t concede a single open-play goal throughout the group stage – their central defenders, whether Saliba, Gabriel or Kiwior, are largely aerial profiles with high centres of gravity. This physical trait can become a liability when required to manage sharp changes of direction.

Strictly Come Dancing

In keeping with the mutual caution described earlier, the double Madrid derby in the round of 16 was far from a feast of deep runs and breakaway sprints. And yet, even in such a restrained context, Real still manage to carve out just enough space, and gain just enough time, to strike. Even if that advantage materialises in front of – rather than behind – the opposition's back line.

That’s exactly what happens on both of Madrid’s goals.

Real Madrid have more Champions League titles than the rest of the world combined over the last 11 years. At this level, a centre-back cannot rely solely on anticipation when defending their own goal. Overanticipating is just as costly as reacting too late – both are ruthlessly exposed by Madrid.

Beyond Javi Galán, who was forced to step out wide to challenge Rodrygo, it was Lenglet and Giménez’s shortcomings that Kiwior and Saliba must avoid replicating – even with their long strides and imposing presence.

Notably, on both of Rodrygo’s goals, the decisive shot pierced through not just Lenglet’s inside channel, but also that of Giménez. Neither defender was late – in fact, both were ahead of Rodrygo – but their failure to decelerate properly left them helpless.

That’s why Kiwior and Saliba must manage their footwork with utmost delicacy, to remain exactly where they must never cease to be: between the ball and the goal.

This delicate and nerve-wracking art of defensive containment is also where Giménez came undone against Brahim Díaz on Madrid’s second goal.

Despite doing his best to resist the Moroccan’s flurry of feints, Giménez eventually gave way to a moment of inspired trickery. The former Man City man cleverly faked a slip before hinting at an outside dribble. Giménez bit — and in that tight pocket of space, Brahim managed to finish with no run-up, from his weaker foot, with astonishing speed of execution.

While Atlético suffered from the numerical limitations of their 4-4-2 — particularly in central midfield, where they often had just two men — Arsenal will likely address this structural flaw by fielding Partey behind Ødegaard and Rice, providing far greater coverage of that crucial zone that De Paul so frequently vacated.

When stepping out wide, especially to confront Vinicius, Jurriën Timber’s profile becomes particularly appealing. Lower to the ground and more mobile than either Saliba or Kiwior, the Dutchman offers, at least on paper, the ideal matchup to contain the Brazilian star. It could be a golden opportunity for Timber to etch his name into Gunners lore by neutralising Vini Jr.

In that light, this may not be the worst game in which to lose Gabriel (injured), provided he is replaced by Timber in a central role. Despite being only 1.79m tall and having a much lower centre of gravity, Timber could bring much-needed responsiveness to Arsenal’s last line. Of course, Gabriel’s absence remains a psychological blow for the Londoners, and his contribution on offensive set-pieces — a declining yet still valuable weapon — will be missed.

These observations also apply in transition phases — moments that are particularly tricky to manage given Arsenal’s deliberate structural imbalance when they’re in possession.

(Mbappé + Neymar) ÷ 2 = Martinelli

The other dimension of this global-stage test for Arsenal is, of course, their rich offensive animation — an aspect of Arteta’s game plan that remains widely underrated. The Gunners’ dynamic use of the ball is notoriously difficult to neutralise. Aston Villa, PSG, Manchester City, Liverpool — not to mention PSV in the round of 16 — are just a few of the many sides that have struggled to cope with the sheer variety of Arsenal’s attacking patterns.

With Saka recently returning to action and scoring against Fulham, we’ll skip over the obvious “instant depth” offered by both him and Martinelli, especially since we’ve already noted the mutual tactical coldness likely to define this clash.

A disciple of Guardiola, Arteta’s brand of football is a dynamic, vertical evolution of the positional game developed at City during his tenure as Pep’s assistant (2016–19).

The inverted full-back, one of Guardiola’s signature innovations, has become so embedded in Arsenal’s DNA that it barely even merits mention anymore. Naturally, the signing of Riccardo Calafiori was aimed at reinforcing this principle.

What matters most: once the full-back moves inside, he either joins the pivot or pushes one of the midfielders up a line. In the case above, Lewis-Skelly advances and nudges Merino further forward. Alternatively, he can encourage a lateral drift. Either way, one player — often Calafiori — eventually joins an increasingly populated front line.

The midfielder who has been "replaced" by the inverted full-back then has license to make a forward run, or stretch the play wide, just like Trossard does here — and as Ødegaard often does on the right.

Recently, against Aston Villa, who defend in two compact banks of four — a structure not unlike Real’s — Arsenal once again unveiled an impressive offensive display, in the purest Arteta style. The Clarets, who the Gunners could potentially face again in the semifinals, served as a valuable tactical rehearsal.

In Arteta’s fluid blend of positional and vertical principles, Arsenal overloads not just central zones, but also the flanks. When their wingers can’t be released into depth, they pull the defensive line back — and are then served into feet. The ball may also be directed to a wide-shifting midfielder.

Whoever the freed-up player is, their passing quality becomes crucial, as they look to exploit a multitude of interline options, which then become potential vertical threats as well.

On the opening goal against PSG, Trossard (playing as a midfielder) benefits from Martinelli’s deep run to whip in a cross. He capitalises on Saka’s run, which disrupts the Parisians’ defensive line:

Against Inter at San Siro, a similar sequence should have earned Arsenal a penalty. Once again, the inverted full-back, the relay pass to Saka, and Martinelli’s cross — all create a flood of options that overwhelm Inzaghi’s back five.

These hybrid profiles — Martinelli, Saka, and even Trossard — thrive in relative anonymity. Yet their diverse skill sets are often the foundation of Arsenal’s sustained dominance.

Sommer, like Donnarumma, struggles to anticipate the trajectory of such deceptive and uncertain deliveries.

Lessons from Villa

With Real Madrid having recorded just one clean sheet in their last 15 outings, Arsenal must strike hard at the Emirates. Especially since Los Blancos have recently struggled both at the Wanda Metropolitano against Atlético, and in several other matches — particularly against direct, deep attacks that target the heart of their box.

Against Villa, who — naturally — didn’t grant Arsenal the space they crave, but remained highly disciplined in their shape, another core principle was revealed: playing on the edge of the offside line.

Often forced to receive to feet, Trossard managed to play a number of threatening balls between the lines, particularly toward Lewis-Skelly — proving that the "inverted full-back" in Arteta’s setup is far from a static figure.

The two goals scored against Villa were clear variations of this fluid system, perfectly capturing the subtlety of those marginal breaking points we discussed earlier.

On the first goal, Trossard is denied depth by Villa’s low block. By generating a rotation involving Merino and Lewis-Skelly, he ends up receiving the ball from the Spaniard. As Kamara closes in, Trossard manages to cross from a tiny pocket of space, exploiting the slight opening the Marseille midfielder inadvertently allows. Martinelli, bursting in from his opposite wing, finishes the move.

On the second, Trossard receives the ball to feet again. Marked by Cash, but in a somewhat isolated 1v1, he uses the “fix and switch” principle — mimicking the same pass setup shown earlier to Lewis-Skelly — before suddenly shifting gears.

Even though Cash isn’t entirely beaten, Trossard exploits the slight time advantage to cut inside and whip in a quick left-footed cross on the move, delivering Havertz’s 2–0 goal.

Against a Real Madrid side that often struggles to handle width and depth simultaneously, Arsenal will have plenty to work with.

The Anonymous Galácticos

These sequences — just like Real’s patterns discussed earlier — are emblematic of the tactical stalemates that now define elite football. The breaking point lies somewhere between a pass to feet and a through ball, while the dribble remains a perpetual wild card.

Goals are often scored off-balance, from awkward positions, forced into being by smart defensive anticipation.

Paradoxically, even though Arsenal are the quintessential modern team, with hybrid profiles who could walk down the street without causing a stir, in games like this, it’s clear: the game belongs to the players. The very traits embodied by Martinelli and Trossard are shared by Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Mbappé.

In fact, when Mbappé earned the penalty that should have sealed the tie at the Wanda, he did so after losing his initial speed, receiving a “semi-deep” pass to feet from Bellingham, before burning Lenglet and Giménez with a sudden left-footed burst.

Proof that drive and effort remain the most decisive ingredients in this type of match — where the inflection points are always delicate and marginal.