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Arsenal star Zinchenko reveals how the Gunners reacted upon discovering their Champions League quarter-final opponents in the Emirates Stadium dressing room.
Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has shared the team’s reaction to drawing Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. The Gunners secured their spot in the last eight after a thrilling 2-2 draw against PSV Eindhoven, winning the tie 9-3 on aggregate.
Zinchenko, who scored a superb opening goal against PSV, expressed mixed feelings in the dressing room when the team learned they would face Real Madrid. The Ukrainian international described the experience as both exciting and daunting, acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by the Spanish giants.
“It’s going to be an amazing experience for all of us, for the club as well. To face one of the best clubs in the world with these kinds of players, it’s always nice to be involved in games like this,” Zinchenko said in the mixed zone after the match. He emphasized the need for Arsenal to deliver the performance of their lives to overcome Real Madrid, who have dominated the competition in recent years.
The reaction in the dressing room was one of mixed emotions, with no one really saying anything when they found out they’d be facing Real Madrid over Atletico Madrid. Zinchenko admitted that the team would need to learn from past experiences and avoid being relaxed even for a moment, as the level and demands at this stage of the competition are incredibly high.
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