Let Alessia Russo lead the line, take advantage of a pitch which isn't a 'f*cking disgrace' & six ways Arsenal can turn around two-goal deficit in Women's Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid

Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room. In Madrid last week, the pitch was awful - or, in the words of Arsenal legend Ian Wright, “a f*cking disgrace”. It was the same for both sides, of course, but, crucially, it didn’t suit the Gunners’ style of play whatsoever and, more significantly, they struggled massively to adapt to the surface. That’s despite Slegers saying after the game that she and her players were aware of conditions and the game plan factored them in. It’s difficult to say that was evident in how the team performed.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, did play to the pitch. They were the team that adapted better to a tricky playing surface and they deserve credit for that. It was not why they won, but it was at least a factor in their success.

On Wednesday, conditions will be entirely different. The pitch at the Emirates will be a carpet and it will suit Arsenal’s playing style to a tee. After struggling to really play to their best in Madrid, the Gunners must absolutely take advantage of an environment simply utopian from their perspective in this second leg. This pitch will allow them to play to all of their strengths - and the onus will be on them to do exactly that, in search of at least two goals to progress.

If there is one reason why Real prevailed last week, then it was because they took their chances. Arsenal did not. It was a similar story, really, in the Clasico on Sunday. Playing a little more on the counter against Barcelona, the team from Madrid took full advantage of the opportunities they carved out in a stunning 3-1 win.

Arsenal should take that game from the weekend as a warning, as the way it played out felt like a possible look ahead to the future. The Gunners will dominate on Wednesday, the crowd will be on their side and they will be expected to win. Real, though, with their two-goal lead and deadly attacking players, can comfortably play on the counter, knowing they will cause problems when they get the ball.

It’s important for Arsenal to deal with those breakaways, yes, but it’s also vital that they don’t get sucker punched because they failed to put the ball in the back of the net at the other end. Slegers started Stina Blackstenius in the No.9 role last week, with Alessia Russo pulling the strings behind her. The England star played some nice passes and created chances but as the more clinical finisher of the two, it would make sense for her to lead the line this time.

Arsenal should create plenty of chances on Wednesday, too, as their forward depth has increased significantly over the last few months. Players returning to fitness in midfield has allowed Mariona Caldentey to move out to the left again, while Chloe Kelly’s January arrival has bolstered the right hand side. Alternating with Caitlin Foord and Beth Mead, the Gunners are able to reload the wings with top international stars to either keep the pressure on opponents or provide a different look when subs need to be made.

The same can be said of other positions. Blackstenius often adds another danger for defenders to worry about when introduced, such is her constant movement; Lina Hurtig provides an aerial presence which can be a serious issue; and there are always different midfield technicians for Slegers to turn to on her bench, depending on her starting XI. Only three of Lia Walti, Kim Little, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Frida Maanum, Rosa Kafaji and Victoria Pelova can start.

Most significantly, Slegers is not one to hesitate with her subs. She will make early changes to give her players as much time as possible to really influence a game from the bench. That’s good news for an Arsenal team that is likely to be facing a dogged and determined defence this week, as it should present Real with new problems while they tire.

There is still going to be plenty for Arsenal’s own defence to worry about, however. Alberto Toril boldly started Olga Carmona, Caroline Weir and Linda Caicedo on the bench in Barcelona, keeping them fresh for this second leg while also allowing them to make an impact in that historic win as second half substitutes. It was a risk but it paid off, with Real able to stay in the game before all three were introduced. From there, it was Weir who proved the match-winner, scoring twice in a classy cameo.

That was a continuation of great form from the Scotland international this season, with her bouncing back brilliantly from the ACL injury that ended her 2023-24 campaign before it had really begun. With 13 goals and 11 assists in all competitions this term, she is getting back to her brilliant best now.

Arsenal experienced that first-hand last week, when Weir often proved too hot to handle for the Arsenal midfield. The Gunners absolutely must do more to limit her impact this time around, as it is likely that her ability to find pockets of space, the neat touches she takes around defenders and her incisive passing will start a lot of Real's counter attacks. Her finishing could round a lot of them off, too.

Yet, if there is one player who has to be locked down by the English side, it is arguably Caicedo.

The Colombian is a magical player. A deadly winger with wonderful feet, electric pace and a refined end product that defies her young age, she thrives in the sort of counter-attacking game plan that Real are likely to deploy. Indeed, it was her fantastic work down the left that provided Weir with the opportunity to give Las Blancas the lead at Barcelona on Sunday.

Emily Fox did an admirable job against Caicedo last week in Spain and yet, the 20-year-old still lit up the game. She’ll have to do even better this time around to ensure Real don’t kill this tie off with a goal.

There are so many clichés in football about the first goal or an early goal, but it’s hard not to feel like, all things considered, both are vital for Arsenal in this game.

Not since 2018 has a team overturned a two-goal deficit in a Women's Champions League tie, when an up-and-coming Barcelona side recovered from a 3-1 loss to BIIK Kazygurt by winning 3-0 at home. On that occasion, Patri Guijarro scored after just four minutes to set the Catalans on their way to an almighty comeback. A similarly fast start would do wonders for the Gunners on Wednesday, to give them the momentum and the belief needed to complete such a difficult task.

Allow Real to keep their clean sheet for a while, though, and the Spaniards will only grow in confidence, which is sure to be high already given the results they've produced in the past seven days. Simultaneously, Arsenal's frustrations will build, the crowd will be on edge and the whole atmosphere will feel entirely different to what the home players would want.

As for the first goal, that is non-negotiable. If Arsenal allow Real to break the deadlock in this second leg, the tie will be over. So, while that fast start particularly applies to an attack needing to score at least two, but ideally three, goals, the defence must also be switched on from the get-go if the Gunners want to make it through to the final four.