Arsenal Humiliates Real Madrid at the Emirates: Player Ratings with a 2 for Vinicius

The hallowed grounds of the Emirates Stadium bore witness to a chastening defeat for Real Madrid as they succumbed to a commanding performance from Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash. The final scoreline of 3-0 in favor of the Gunners painted a stark picture of the gulf in quality and intensity between the two sides on this particular Tuesday evening.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid squad, renowned for their European pedigree and resilience, found themselves overwhelmed by a vibrant and tactically astute Arsenal team. From the outset, it was evident that the Gunners, boasting individual brilliance reminiscent of their formidable 2006 vintage, were determined to impose their will on the Spanish giants. Despite a relatively controlled first-half display where clear-cut chances proved elusive for both sides, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal emerged from the interval with renewed vigor and unwavering intent.

Employing a high-pressing strategy that suffocated Real Madrid’s midfield and spearheaded by an irrepressible Bukayo Saka on the wing, Arsenal relentlessly attacked the Merengues’ defense. The sustained pressure eventually yielded three unanswered goals, including a pair of stunning free-kicks expertly dispatched by Declan Rice and a well-taken strike from Merino. In the wake of this heavy defeat, the individual performances of the Real Madrid players came under intense scrutiny, with the following ratings reflecting their contributions on a difficult night in North London.

Thibaut Courtois: 6/10

The Belgian shot-stopper, making his return to the Real Madrid goal after a brief spell on the sidelines due to muscular issues, delivered a commendable performance between the posts. Displaying his customary agility and shot-stopping prowess, Courtois made several crucial saves throughout the match, preventing the scoreline from becoming even more unfavorable. However, he could be faulted for the positioning of his defensive wall on Declan Rice’s opening free-kick in the 58th minute, which was cleverly curled around the barrier. The subsequent two goals conceded, including Rice’s second stunning free-kick and Arsenal’s third, were largely unstoppable efforts.

David Alaba: 4/10

The experienced Austrian defender endured a difficult evening, ultimately contributing to Real Madrid’s downfall. While he displayed considerable effort in the first half, Alaba was directly responsible for conceding the free-kick that led to Rice’s opening goal in the 58th minute, a costly error that shifted the momentum decisively in Arsenal’s favor. Despite a later crucial goal-line clearance, Alaba’s overall performance fell short of expectations.

Raul Asencio: 6/10

The young Spanish defender put in an acceptable shift at the heart of the Real Madrid defense. Positioned deeper than usual, Asencio diligently fulfilled his defensive duties, utilizing his pace to effectively thwart several dangerous Arsenal attacks. While not flawless, his contribution to the defensive effort was noteworthy on a night where many of his teammates struggled.

Antonio Rüdiger: 5/10

The German international center-back delivered a passable performance, demonstrating considerable effort despite the demanding schedule of recent fixtures. However, his defensive endeavors ultimately proved insufficient to prevent Arsenal’s dominant attacking display and the resulting heavy defeat for Real Madrid.

Federico Valverde: 6/10

Tasked with containing the dangerous Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank, Valverde acquitted himself reasonably well in his defensive duties. However, against an Arsenal side operating at a high level of intensity and cohesion, his individual efforts were not enough to prevent the overall defeat.

Eduardo Camavinga: 4/10

The young French midfielder enjoyed a positive start to the match, effectively filling the void left by the absent Aurélien Tchouaméni in the central midfield. Camavinga won numerous duels and disrupted Arsenal’s flow in the early stages. However, his performance level dipped significantly in the second half, culminating in a rash challenge on Bukayo Saka that led to Rice’s second free-kick goal. His evening was further compounded by a late red card, adding to Real Madrid’s woes.

Luka Modric: 6/10

The veteran Croatian maestro provided an acceptable performance in the Real Madrid midfield. Deployed to inject creativity into the team’s play, Modric found himself with limited space to operate effectively against Arsenal’s disciplined midfield. Nevertheless, he contributed significantly to the defensive efforts, tracking back and attempting to shield his defense.

Jude Bellingham: 6/10

The dynamic English midfielder once again proved his value in the heart of the Real Madrid midfield. Displaying his characteristic energy and commitment, Bellingham contributed both defensively and offensively, showcasing a commendable work rate. While his individual attitude and effort could not be faulted, he ultimately found himself up against an Arsenal team operating at a superior level on the night.

Vinicius Junior: 2/10

The Brazilian winger endured another deeply disappointing performance on the flank for Real Madrid. Despite pre-match advice from Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos, Vinicius was largely anonymous throughout the match. On the rare occasions where he had the opportunity to make a difference in the attacking third, his decision-making was poor. Furthermore, his defensive contribution was negligible, resulting in a very poor overall display.

Rodrygo Goes: 5/10

Facing an Arsenal defense that quickly regrouped and limited space in behind, Rodrygo struggled to make a significant impact in the attacking third. On several occasions, he was forced to play passes backward due to the lack of forward options. While his attacking output was limited, the 24-year-old forward attempted to contribute defensively, tracking back to support his teammates.

Kylian Mbappé: 6/10

The only Real Madrid attacker who displayed significant intent and willingness throughout the match. In the first half, Mbappé posed the greatest threat to the Arsenal defense with his pace and direct running. However, with his attacking partners struggling to make an impact, he was often isolated and unable to single-handedly overcome Arsenal’s dominance. His influence waned in the second half as Arsenal asserted their control.

Carlo Ancelotti: 3/10

For once, the experienced Real Madrid manager warrants inclusion in the player ratings, reflecting a night where his tactical decisions and substitutions came under scrutiny. Against a fluid and dynamic Arsenal side, Ancelotti’s initial team selection and delayed substitutions proved to be questionable. The failure to introduce players like Brahim Diaz and Fran Garcia earlier in the match, particularly with the ineffective performances of Rodrygo and Vinicius, was a significant oversight. Defensively, the adjustments made to the right and left-back positions arrived too late to stem the tide of Arsenal’s attacks. On this occasion, Real Madrid deserved better tactical guidance.