BREAKING NEWS: “He’s not who I thought he was; he’s a beast in human form, the cornerstone of this Arsenal team,” Ancelotti identified the ONE Arsenal player who astonished him today – and it’s neither Declan Rice nor Merino…

BREAKING NEWS: “He’s not who I thought he was; he’s a beast in human form, the cornerstone of this Arsenal team,” Ancelotti identified the ONE Arsenal player who astonished him today – and it’s neither Declan Rice nor Merino.

Real Madrid suffered a significant defeat, allowing Arsenal to advance to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Mikel Arteta achieved a remarkable milestone with a nearly flawless performance in one of the most challenging stadiums.

Arsenal had an opportunity to take an early lead when Bukayo Saka was awarded a penalty after Mikel Merino was fouled.

However, Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save against Saka’s attempt.

The match continued without any goals until half-time, with numerous attacks from Los Blancos testing David Raya’s defense.

The scoring finally commenced when Bukayo Saka skillfully lobbed the ball over Courtois, followed shortly by Vinicius Jr. capitalizing on a mistake from William Saliba to score an open goal.

The evening concluded on a high note as Gabriel Martinelli netted a late winner.

This marks a significant moment, raising the question of what challenges lie ahead, with PSG next on the horizon.

Here’s how football.london evaluated the performances of the Arsenal players:

David Raya – Handling pressure is essential for top goalkeepers, and the Spaniard had something to prove after losing his spot to Unai Simon in the national team.

He made several impressive saves and dealt well with crosses, but unfortunately, he was unable to recover from his defender’s mistake leading to Vinicius Jr.’s goal. Rating: 9

Jurrien Timber – He is quickly becoming my pick for player of the season. Jurrien Timber consistently impressed with his technical skill and physical strength throughout both halves.

It’s a mystery how he managed to avoid a booking. Rating: 8

William Saliba – He delivered an outstanding defensive performance against Kylian Mbappe in the first half, effectively neutralizing his international teammate.

His series of clearances demonstrated why he is held in such high regard.

However, he conceded a goal at the most inopportune moment, just after the Gunners had found the net.

An unusual error allowed Vini Jr to seize the ball and score effortlessly. 7

Jakub Kiwior – Since Gabriel’s hamstring injury, all eyes have been on Jakub Kiwior and his ability to step up.

Raya expressed complete confidence in the Polish defender, and against the European champions, Kiwior showcased composure, intelligence, and strength – delivering an outstanding performance. 9

Myles Lewis-Skelly – The 18-year-old faced one of the toughest challenges that even seasoned players would find daunting in his first season with the team.

A highlight reel of his impressive plays is sure to emerge soon, as he consistently took on opponents with ease. 8

Thomas Partey – The midfielder delivered an excellent performance, leveraging his experience on this ground to great effect.

However, a frustrating moment occurred when he received a yellow card for pushing a Real player, resulting in his suspension for the first leg of the semi-final. 8

Declan Rice – He nearly went from hero to zero after the referee awarded a penalty for a slight touch on Kylian Mbappe, which was later overturned.

Rice was impressive in both halves, making a remarkable tackle in the box against Jude Bellingham. 9

Martin Odegaard – He had a prime opportunity to shoot from outside the box after receiving space from Bukayo Saka but chose to overplay the ball, missing the chance – a reflection of his season up to that point.

He improved as the match progressed, creating a few chances for himself and his teammates. 7

Bukayo Saka – The Arsenal star had a penalty saved early in the match, marking a significant moment.

He opted for a clever attempt instead of a straightforward shot, but unfortunately, it did not go as planned.

All would be forgiven when, after a second-half assist from Merino, Saka skillfully lobbed the ball over Courtois.

Mikel Merino may not fit the traditional mold of a striker, yet he put in an incredible effort for the team.

He assumed a midfielder’s role in the attacking line, contributing by dropping back, tackling, clearing, and intercepting.

However, he frequently emerged in the final third, delivering a perfect pass to Saka for the Gunners’ first goal.

It’s worth noting that the Spaniard maintained his relentless energy throughout the match – it was an outstanding and dedicated performance.