Arteta Shifts Focus to Brentford After Memorable Night Against Real Madrid

Synopsis

Arsenal celebrated a remarkable 3-0 victory over Real Madrid, marking a significant moment for the club. Head coach Mikel Arteta is now directing all attention to the upcoming match against Brentford in the Premier League, emphasizing the need for top performance despite the team's injury challenges.

Key Takeaways

Arsenal achieved a 3-0 victory over Real Madrid.
Declan Rice made Champions League history.
Arteta prioritizes the upcoming match against Brentford.
Team preparation is crucial due to a packed schedule.
Rice is evolving into a game-changing player.

London, April 11 (NationPress) Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Real Madrid marked one of the most memorable nights for the club in recent memory. With the first leg not concluded, the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium set for next week, the Gunners' head coach Mikel Arteta emphasized that the team's complete attention is directed towards their upcoming home match against Brentford on Saturday in the Premier League.

Declan Rice, who made history as the first player in Champions League history to net two direct free-kick goals in a knockout stage game, along with Mikel Merino's exquisite left-footed strike, propelled Arsenal to achieve an almost incredible result against the European champions.

"There has been an extraordinary energy surrounding the squad. It was truly a special night. That moment has passed, and now our complete emphasis is on Brentford because this game demands our utmost performance," Arteta stated during the pre-match press briefing.

Unexpectedly, despite the numerous injuries that have plagued Arsenal, Arteta confidently declared that he will not rest his players for the Saturday showdown, asserting that the team must be ready to compete every three days due to the demanding fixture schedule.

"It's just normality. This is our reality - playing every three days across various competitions on the grandest stages. Competing in Europe and then returning to face a different challenge in the Premier League. To evolve into a team capable of winning in any of these scenarios, we must perform every three days, regardless of the circumstances,” he added.

Rice opened the scoring for Arsenal in north London by curling a free-kick past Thibaut Courtois in the 58th minute, before completing his brace with an even more audacious strike from further out.

Arteta believes Rice possesses numerous attributes and is developing into a player who can influence matches for the club.

"This is a frequent topic of discussion. The various ways he can create opportunities in and around the box, whether through crosses or goals, because he possesses all the necessary qualities. He can surge into the box, outmaneuver opponents through dribbling, and has the ability for long-range shots. That’s the direction we're heading with him, to become someone capable of influencing a game through diverse means," Arteta remarked.