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Thierry Henry says Arsenal must believe they can beat Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final or there’s no point showing up.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry shared his insights on how his former team can overcome the formidable Real Madrid in their upcoming Champions League quarter-final clash. Henry, who was part of the Arsenal squad that famously defeated Real Madrid in 2006, emphasized the importance of belief and mental strength as the key factors for success.
Henry stressed that the first and foremost requirement for Arsenal to stand a chance against Real Madrid is to believe in their ability to win. He recalled his own experience from 2006 when Arsenal, considered underdogs, managed to secure a 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu thanks to his sublime solo goal. “If you go there believing you cannot beat Real Madrid, you may as well not go and play,” Henry said. He highlighted that a strong belief in their capabilities is essential for the Gunners to challenge the reigning European champions.
According to Henry, even a perfect performance might not be enough to guarantee victory against a team as experienced and successful as Real Madrid. He pointed out that teams like Atletico Madrid and Manchester City have played exceptionally well against Real Madrid in the past, yet still fell short. “To beat Real Madrid, you need the perfect game from minute one right when the referee blows the whistle,” Henry explained. He urged Arsenal to be at their best for every minute of the two-legged tie and to avoid giving away any opportunities to their opponents.
Henry also drew parallels between Arsenal’s current situation and other underdog triumphs in football history. He mentioned Greece’s unexpected victory in the 2004 European Championship and Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League title win in 2016 as examples of what can be achieved with determination and belief. “I’ve seen Greece winning the Euros, I’ve seen Leicester winning the league. Just believe that you can, that’s what I’m saying,” Henry remarked.
Henry acknowledged the crucial role that Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, will play in preparing the team for this monumental challenge. Arteta’s ability to instill confidence and belief in his players will be vital for their chances of success. Henry emphasized that Arteta must ensure his team is mentally and physically prepared to face Real Madrid and to execute a flawless game plan over the two legs.
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