Arsenal's Tactical Masterclass Ends Madrid Dynasty: Gunners Storm into UCL Semifinals

BERNABÉU STADIUM, MADRID - Arsenal delivered a defensive masterclass combined with lethal counterattacking football to dethrone 15-time European champions Real Madrid (5-1 aggregate), advancing to their first Champions League semifinal in 16 years.

Key Moments:

13' PENALTY DRAMA: Saka's audacious Panenka denied by Courtois after VAR spotted Asencio's foul
65' SAKA REDEMPTION: England international atones with clever chip over Courtois
67' VINÍCIUS REPLY: Brazilian pounces on Saliba's rare error
90+3' MARTINELLI SEALER: Brazilian speedster caps counterattack for historic win

Defensive Organization
Arsenal's compact 4-4-2 midblock limited Madrid to 0.48 xG (per Opta), with:

78% aerial duel success
23 completed clearances
14 interceptions

Midfield Battle Declan Rice dominated central areas:	Stat	Rice
Tackles	6	2
Duels won	82%	58%
Pass acc.	91%	84%

Arteta's Tactical Triumph
The Spanish coach:

Deployed Ødegaard as false 9 in Gabriel Jesus' absence
Utilized inverted fullbacks to overload midfield
Masterminded 80th consecutive game without conceding 3+ goals

Madrid's European Exit Post-Mortem

Mbappé: 0 shots on target
Only 2/18 crosses completed
Ancelotti's experimental fullback choices backfired

Looking Ahead
Arsenal face PSG in semifinals (Apr 29/30) without suspended Thomas Partey. The Gunners now boast:

8-match UCL unbeaten streak
Best defensive record in 2025 UCL (4 goals conceded)
First English club to eliminate Madrid in KO stages since 2004

"This wasn't luck - it was a perfectly executed tactical blueprint," BT Sport analyst Rio Ferdinand noted. "Arteta has created a team that thrives under European pressure."