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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has warned that the Gunners must approach their Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid with absolute belief, or risk being eliminated before they even step onto the pitch.
Real Madrid, the reigning European champions, once again demonstrated their dominance in the competition by edging past city rivals Atlético Madrid in a dramatic penalty shootout. Despite a 1-0 defeat on the night, Carlo Ancelotti’s side held their nerve and secured a spot in the last eight, where they will face Arsenal for the first time since 2006 in a competitive match.
Henry, who played a decisive role in Arsenal’s famous 1-0 win at the Bernabéu in 2006, knows what it takes to beat Los Blancos. Looking ahead to the quarter-final showdown, the Frenchman stressed the importance of belief, insisting that even a perfect performance over two legs may not be enough if Mikel Arteta’s side do not have the right mindset.
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Speaking about Arsenal’s chances of pulling off an upset, Henry said: “Believe that you can. I’ve been in that situation before with a team that, honestly, had a little less talent. When we drew Real Madrid, everyone laughed, especially in Spain. If you go there already thinking you can’t win, then you may as well not play.”
“You may as well not go and play if you don’t think you can beat them.”
Titi preaches the importance of a strong mental approach as Arsenal face a tough test against Real Madrid in the #UCL quarterfinals 🧠 pic.twitter.com/tOQ9QpOLdY
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 12, 2025
Henry emphasised that beating Real Madrid requires absolute perfection and even then, it might not be enough.
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“I’ve seen Greece win the Euros, I’ve seen Leicester win the league—just believe that you can. Are you going to do it? That’s a different ball game. Look at how Atlético played them—they played so well so many times, and it still wasn’t enough. I’ve seen Manchester City play Real Madrid and dominate, and it still wasn’t enough.”
“If you go there without the belief that you can win, stay at home. To beat Real Madrid, you need the perfect game from minute one, right when the referee blows the whistle. Even if you’re perfect, it still might not be enough.”
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