Tensions are running high in north London as Arsenal prepare to host Atletico Madrid in the second leg of a huge Champions League semi-final clash at the Emirates.
The stakes couldn’t have been higher after last week’s encounter in the Spanish capital, which ended in an impressive 1-1 draw.
While many fans and pundits nervously bit their nails and sat tight on the fence, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher confidently backed Arsenal to defeat the Spanish giants and reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
He boldly predicts Mikel Arteta’s side will book their ticket to the grand finale.
Over the years, the narrative surrounding Arsenal in Europe has been incredibly consistent: they were beautiful on the ball, but vulnerable when the going got tough.
Carragher supports Arsenal as they advance to UCL final
Carragher says that soft underbelly has completely disappeared under Arteta.
The big change that pundits are raving about is Arsenal’s newfound ruthless pragmatism.
Mr Carragher said on Gary Neville’s podcast: “I think Arsenal can get through it.
“I think they are a better team than Atletico Madrid. To be honest, I don’t think Atletico are that good.”
“There were 20 minutes in the first leg where Atletico had the upper hand, but both Arsenal teams were in control of the game.
“I think the big thing Arsenal have done in the last few games is put Declan Rice a little bit deeper and I think that has had a big impact.
“He played well against Atlético, showed real authority and I thought he was excellent against Fulham at the weekend.
“I’ve always been worried about that midfield and I’ve been stressing about it lately, but there’s been a bit of a change there so that’s helped.”
The Gunners have evolved under Arteta’s leadership.
In the past, naive Arsenal might have gone completely crazy during last week’s chaotic 1-1 draw at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Instead, they matched Atlético’s strong physical hitting.
Carragher insists Arsenal have finally learned how to suffer without collapsing, so they could survive.
Remember, the Gunners have home advantage in the second leg and will be hoping that support from their fans will act as a catalyst to get them through this difficult fixture.
With Carragher recently pointing out the change in Rice’s position, Arteta will be hoping for the midfielder to put in his best performance of the season in the club’s first big match in a while.
The Champions League final in Budapest is the goal of Arteta and his players and they have a huge chance to make history, or at least continue the process of making history.
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