'I beat Actual Madrid with Arsenal – two absolute musts can see Gunners prevail'
Arsenal face Actual Madrid within the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night time and former Gunners right-back Emmanuel Eboue has provided his tackle his outdated workforce's probabilities
Emmanuel Eboue has insisted that Arsenal should go all out of their assault in opposition to Actual Madrid on the Emirates Stadium, whereas additionally sustaining a strong defence in opposition to the reigning Champions League holders.
The ex-Gunner, who was a part of the workforce that beat Actual Madrid of their journey to the ultimate of Europe's elite membership competitors again within the 2005/06 season, has provided some key recommendation to the present squad forward of their first leg in opposition to the La Liga aspect on Tuesday night time.
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Eboue featured for Arsenal from 2005 to 2011, making 214 appearances and netting 10 objectives from his right-back place, in addition to offering 20 assists throughout his time in north London.
The Ivorian was a part of an Arsenal squad that boasted the likes of Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, Cesc Fabregas, Robert Pires and Sol Campbell – all of whom began within the 2006 Champions League remaining in opposition to Barcelona.
Regardless of a 2-1 defeat on the night time, with objectives from Campbell for Arsenal and each Samuel Eto'o and Juliano Belletti securing the win for Barca, Eboue is not any stranger to successful powerful video games in Europe.
Throughout Arsenal's journey to the 2006 remaining, they overcame a formidable Madrid aspect within the spherical of 16 with a 1-0 victory on mixture because of a Thierry Henry purpose on the Bernabeu, which noticed them progress to the quarter-finals. The Spanish membership at the moment boasted legends resembling Zinedine Zidane, Sergio Ramos, Roberto Carlos, David Beckham, and Ronaldo Nazario, however Eboue and his defensive companions stored the European giants at bay and superior.
Eboue has urged the present squad to prioritise a powerful defensive efficiency in opposition to Actual Madrid, as he advised MyBettingSites {that a} clear sheet is essential in tonight's Champions League conflict.
The previous right-back additionally emphasised the significance of taking probabilities and scoring as many objectives as potential, to take a major benefit to the Bernabeu for the second leg.
Eboue stated: "Individuals suppose it'll be simple for Arsenal at house as a result of Actual Madrid haven't been at their finest, however as I stated – Actual Madrid are Actual Madrid.
"We’ve got to play our soccer, give our greatest, and take the probabilities that come our method. Each likelihood should be transformed as a result of the second leg is on the Bernabeu. It's essential to attain as a lot as we will on the Emirates, and never concede."
Whereas assured in Arsenal's skills, Eboue acknowledged Madrid's historical past of dominance within the competitors and their capability to win even when not taking part in properly. He stated: "I've watched Actual Madrid a couple of occasions this season. They don't actually play properly, however they win. That's the issue for Arsenal.
"They’ve nice gamers, so even when the workforce doesn't play properly, ultimately, they nonetheless win. You possibly can see Mbappe scoring two objectives, Vinicius making key passes, and Bellingham producing moments of magic. Arsenal have performed properly in each recreation. To be trustworthy, this 12 months I really feel they've carried out properly each time, and I've actually loved watching them play. They play superb soccer."
Eboue additionally expressed concern about Arsenal's current defensive struggles within the Premier League, regardless of having conceded fewer objectives thus far this season in comparison with the earlier one. Within the 2023/24 season, Mikel Arteta's aspect allowed 29 objectives, however with 26 conceded already this 12 months and 7 video games remaining, they danger ending up with a worse report.
The 41-year-old seen this worrying pattern, as he stated: "An issue this 12 months has been that they've conceded greater than final season. Final 12 months, they have been very compact and didn't concede as a lot. This 12 months, they've let in additional objectives, and that's not good.
"Within the recreation in opposition to Actual Madrid, Arsenal would be the higher workforce, however they'll must be careful-because Actual Madrid are nonetheless Actual Madrid."
Nonetheless, Eboue has recognized one participant who could possibly be their shining mild – Jakub Kiwior. The 25-year-old is more likely to begin in opposition to Madrid, on condition that William Saliba's typical centre-half companion, Gabriel, is out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring damage.
The Polish defender has made 19 appearances for the membership this season, together with six within the Champions League – 4 begins and two from the bench. Eboue has instructed Saliba to assist Kiwior in Tuesday's match, believing the duo might be what Arsenal must progress within the competitors.
He added: "You realize what? If Kiwior performs for Arsenal, it means he is an efficient participant. So, for me, Saliba has to assist Kiwior loads. He doesn't play usually, and will probably be tough for him to face Mbappe, Vinicius, or Bellingham – who, to be trustworthy, is in all places on the pitch. I believe Saliba, together with his expertise, has to assist Kiwior on this recreation."
The primary leg of Arsenal vs Actual Madrid will kick off at 8pm on Tuesday night on the Emirates Stadium, with the away leg scheduled for Wednesday, April 16 at 8pm.
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