Mikel Arteta told 'simple key' to beating Real Madrid as Arsenal ready themselves for Champions League tie against Kylian Mbappe & Jude Bellingham

The former Arsenal and France midfielder believes that Arsenal must defend well and finish ruthlessly across both legs if they are to reach the Champions League semi-finals. The Gunners lost to Bayern Munich 3-2 on aggregate at this stage of the tournament last season and Arteta will be determined to prove his side can compete with the biggest and best sides in Europe. Petit suggests that Arsenal can make the most of Madrid's struggles this campaign, but need to do one "simple" thing.

Asked how Arsenal can beat Madrid by pokerfirma.com, Petit responded: It's simple. They need to defend well as a unit against Madrid. The likes of Vinicius, Bellingham and Mbappe are players that can hurt you at any time.

"They have so many top players that can make the difference and they've done it in the past in the Champions League. These are the kinds of players they have to come up against. If they can play as a unit and they can show great character defensively, then they will have a chance.

"Then they would have to be very clinical. This is something that teams have been struggling with against Real Madrid in the last few years. When opportunity comes, when you have the chance to score, you have to take it. And we all know that Arsenal, at the moment, don't have the striker for that.

"I've seen so many games over the last few years when Madrid were dominated by opponents. Matches where the opponent were having so many chances to score, and they didn't take it. Real are very clinical all the time, so for me these are the two main things: play strong defensively, show unity, character and personality. But in the meantime, up front, when one opportunity to score comes up, you have to take it."

It is perhaps easier said than done to defend well against Real Madrid. The likes of Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo and Bellingham have enough talent to frighten any defence in the world and Arsenal, without their star defender Gabriel, will have to be faultless to stop the glittering attack. The Gunners are, however, boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka, who scored on his return to football against Fulham this week. The Englishman then played the entire second-half at Goodison Park on Saturday as preparations for the Champions League clash ramp up.

Arsenal host Real Madrid on Tuesday before heading to the Spanish capital the following week. It will be the first time the sides will have met since 2006, when Thierry Henry scored in a 1-0 win at the Bernabeu to knock out Los Blancos.