Rio Ferdinand shares his prediction for Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League second-leg match against Real Madrid.

Rio Ferdinand has expressed confidence that Arsenal will overcome Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final, despite acknowledging the possibility of a comeback from the Spanish giants. Arsenal’s impressive 3-0 win at the Emirates has put them in a strong position, though Ferdinand warns that Madrid’s mystique and ability to perform on big stages could make the second leg unpredictable.

Ferdinand echoed Mikel Arteta’s cautious tone, emphasizing that the tie is far from over. He believes that Arsenal has the upper hand but cautions that Madrid’s history of dramatic comebacks makes the second leg dangerous. He also praised Arsenal’s recent form, especially with Bukayo Saka’s return, which he believes was crucial to their first-leg success.

The former Manchester United defender suggested Arteta might choose an aggressive approach, pressing Madrid and taking the game to them, rather than sitting back and defending their lead. He pointed out that if Arsenal scores, it would put immense pressure on Madrid, who would need to score four or five goals to win.

Ferdinand also noted that Arsenal is still in the process of proving their ability to perform in high-stakes situations. He compared their current trajectory to other top clubs that gained recognition only after consistently winning trophies. Although Ferdinand is confident in Arsenal’s chances, he acknowledged that Madrid’s ability to turn games around remains a threat. If Arsenal were to go out in the next round, their 3-0 victory would be remembered as a great moment but ultimately irrelevant.