Arsenal head to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night with one goal in mind—converting their commanding first-leg advantage into a place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. But for Mikel Arteta and his side, the stakes run deeper than just qualification; the entire narrative of their 2024/25 campaign may well depend on what unfolds under the lights in Madrid.
The Gunners stunned reigning European champions Real Madrid with a convincing 3-0 win at the Emirates last week, putting themselves firmly in the driving seat. It was a performance that captured the imagination of their fans and signalled Arsenal’s growing continental ambitions. However, their Champions League hopes now bear the weight of a season where domestic silverware appears increasingly out of reach.
With Liverpool soaring under new manager Arne Slot, Arsenal’s Premier League title bid has faded dramatically. Despite being in contention for much of the campaign, 12 league draws and just two victories in their last seven outings have seen the Gunners lose crucial ground. Their 1-1 stalemate against mid-table Brentford at the weekend left them trailing Liverpool by 13 points. The Merseyside club, unbeaten in their last nine, could wrap up the title as early as next weekend—leaving Arsenal with no domestic trophy to chase.
Arteta, whose squad has been built with a focus on resilience and tactical maturity, has begun to shift all focus towards European glory. His decision to rotate five players—including key figures Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard—against Brentford underscored where the club’s priorities now lie.
While downplaying suggestions that his team were distracted by the looming Madrid tie, Arteta acknowledged the significance of the challenge ahead. “We still have six games to play in the Premier League, which are going to be really important, for sure. But, for now, it’s all about Wednesday,” he remarked following the weekend draw.
Arsenal’s task remains a daunting one. Real Madrid, with 15 European titles to their name and a history steeped in dramatic comebacks, are not to be underestimated on home soil. The Spanish giants have built a legacy on turning impossible scenarios around at the Bernabeu, and Arsenal will need every ounce of concentration and composure to avoid being drawn into a classic Madrid resurgence.
Even if they do navigate past Madrid, potentially tougher challenges lie ahead. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain—both showing impressive form in this season’s Champions League—are likely to stand between Arsenal and a maiden European crown.
For all their progress under Arteta, Arsenal risk finishing a fifth consecutive season without a major trophy. Their position in second place in the Premier League is also under threat, with Newcastle closing the gap and holding a game in hand. Nottingham Forest, too, sit just six points behind, making the top-two finish far from secure.
Speaking after the Brentford result, Arteta admitted the gap between his side and the league leaders was frustrating. “It is difficult because obviously there are a lot of reasons why we are with that distance (to Liverpool in the Premier League), and the amount of things that we have to deal with. Still, we are where we are, but yes, we want to be higher—that’s for sure.”
Nonetheless, Arsenal are almost guaranteed one of the five English spots in next season’s Champions League, but anything short of a strong finish will raise questions about the team’s growth trajectory. For a side that came painfully close to domestic glory in the last two seasons, this campaign was meant to be their breakthrough. Instead, they may find themselves clinging to Europe for redemption.
As Arteta starts mapping out plans for the 2025/26 season, he knows that lifting the Champions League trophy would not only cement his credentials as a top-tier manager but also mark a historic moment for the club. But should the European dream fall apart in Madrid, a campaign filled with promise could end in familiar frustration.
