1 day Ago By Mike Walters
Arsenal star Thomas Partey says his side do not need to park the bus against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday because they are confident with their current formula. He said: "Well, I don't think it's tricky - if we are confident with our game, we play our game. It's not going to be something different.
" Arsenal ’s 3-0 rout over Real was more than just a win; it was a declaration of their readiness to ascend in European football. Although the domestic title has eluded them for three consecutive seasons, this victory could recast them from mere challengers to sovereigns in Europe. Reflecting on the monumental first-leg against Real Madrid, Partey said: "Well, I think (the first leg) was the first half of it.
We know it's not going to be easy. They have some of the best players in the world, but any time we play our game we are the best in the world." Madrid will be abuzz with anticipation when Partey and his Arsenal colleagues travel to the Spanish capital in what he describes as a "beautiful moment" in manager Mikel Arteta 's ambitious plan to dominate European football.
Today, the term 'project' has become somewhat of a buzzword in footy circles, often used to describe strategic futurism akin to meticulous school assignments or field trips from bygone days. This week's Champions League showdown with the mighty Real Madrid is emerging as a pivotal milestone in Arteta's tenure at Arsenal , promising to put both the team's resolve and tactical nous under the microscope. Partey, armed with experience from his days battling Madrid with Atletico, asserts this encounter will be a tough examination of Arsenal 's nerve, especially given their notable history of safeguarding substantial leads in European second-legs.
Having scored an impressive goal himself against Brentford on Saturday, Partey braces for a titanic clash. "It's going to be one of the biggest games, with the situation and the mentality and the lead we have," he said. "We have to be confident, we have to go there and play our game and try to win.
It's not going to be easy. We know how good they are and the quality they have from back to front. "It's a beautiful moment (in the Arsenal project) and a moment that every player wants to be part of.
I'm really happy to be part of it." After an outstanding display against one of the sport’s elite teams, Arsenal ’s subsequent 1-1 draw with Brentford felt underwhelming. Despite the paucity of excitement compared to the triumph over Real, Yoane Wissa’s equaliser—for his 16th goal of the campaign—solidified Brentford’s deserved point.
However, aside from the semi-automated VAR's debut which ruled out Kieran Tierney 's first-half header for offside, and Arteta's heated exchange with Brentford boss Thomas Frank following Christian Norgaard's rough tackle on Gabriel Martinelli, the match was largely uneventful. In contrast, if Arsenal 's project in Madrid takes flight this week, Gunners supporters will be proudly displaying their postcards in the Tate Gallery - a nod to one of Take That's biggest hits..
