Brentford manager Thomas Frank believes Arsenal are in a strong position to finish the job and knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League, despite the Spanish giants’ pedigree and Jude Bellingham’s warning that “anything can happen.”
Following a dominant 3-0 win at the Emirates, the Gunners head to the Santiago Bernabéu for Wednesday’s quarter-final second leg — a tie that has captivated European football.
Speaking after his side held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw on Saturday, Frank praised Mikel Arteta’s transformation of the north London club and predicted they’ll be “fine” in Madrid.
“Mikel has done an exceptional job to make Arsenal extremely competitive for the last three years,” said Frank.
“They are in a good position. Looking from the outside, Arsenal work hard and they are very good defensively – especially on set-pieces. I think they’ll be fine.”
Despite Real Madrid’s record 15 Champions League titles, Arteta is keeping his squad grounded but focused on what he called “the most beautiful game of the season.”
“Now it is time to recover well and tomorrow we start preparing for the most beautiful game of the season,” said the Arsenal boss.
“We still have six important Premier League games to come, but right now, it’s all about Wednesday.”
However, Arteta also revealed he’s dealing with fresh injury concerns, with Thomas Partey, Jorginho, and Ben White all doubts ahead of the trip to Spain.