'A little afraid to show who's better' - Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr blamed for Real Madrid's embarrassing Champions League defeat at Arsenal as ex-Los Blancos star claims Frenchman's arrival has had negative effect

Former Real Madrid player Predrag Mijatovic reflected on the club's humbling 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday and singled out star attackers Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. for the team's lack of success this season.

Since Mbappe's arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu, to much fanfare, last summer, much of the debate has been about how Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti would fit in the Frenchman alongside Vini Jr., Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham. Of course, the ex-PSG man has scored 33 goals in all competitions, but he is yet to form the sort of chemistry with his fellow forwards, especially the Ballon d'Or 2024 runner-up, which can help Madrid wreak havoc against organised teams such as Arsenal.

"Since Mbappe's arrival, Vinicius has been a little afraid to show who's better. The goal seems to be to convince Real fans who's the best. And that's led to him not performing as expected this season. That's been very noticeable," Mijatovic explained (h/t BILD).

Before Los Blancos can think of mounting an improbable comeback against the Gunners in the return leg next Tuesday at the Bernabeu, they will take on Alaves on Sunday, April 13, with the aim of reducing the four-point to league leaders Barcelona in LaLiga.