Emmanuel Eboue has revealed what Arsenal must do to stop the likes of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham from performing for Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants will face off against the Gunners on Tuesday evening in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. It will be the first time the two sides have met in a competitive fixture since 2006, when Arsenal knocked Madrid out of the Champions League at the round of 16 stage.
Eboue started both legs against Los Blancos, with Thierry Henry scoring the only goal at the Bernabeu to send Arsenal through. Ahead of Tuesday's fixture, Eboue believes the current Gunners side must play as a team, and not individuals, if they are to repeat what the 2006 squad did.
Speaking to football.london ,via AceOdds.com, Eboue said: "This year I've watched Arsenal a lot and I love Arsenal fans so I wish them the best every time. To play against Real Madrid, it's not easy. Madrid, every year they play the Champions League and they win. Doesn't matter if they're playing well or not, but they win this tournament every time.
"I believe in this young Arsenal team and I think they can get a good result at the Emirates and they have to give their best. Real Madrid is not a small team. Arsenal has to play together as a team to stop Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham. We have to be stronger as a team.
"Playing against Mbappe and Vinicius won't be easy as they're very fast and they move a lot in the attacking areas. So the defenders have to be compact, be together and communicate. Communication will be very important because if you let them get open, it's finished. Mbappe is a very clever and fast striker. I never played against him but I can see how dangerous he is."
Mikel Arteta was asked during his pre-match press conference if an attack of Mbappe, Vinicius, Bellingham and Rodrygo demands a special plan to deal with such quality. "Yeah, for sure. I mean, with individual qualities that they have, especially when you put them in certain situations, you know the danger that you are facing," Arteta admitted.
"But that's the stages. I mean, it doesn't get much bigger than that. That's why consistently they've been doing, what they've been doing in this competition is that they can create those moments. And when it comes to the biggest stage, individual performance, players can decide the games, are critical for your success. Obviously something that we have to prevent for sure."
Arsenal face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final on April 8 and fans can watch it free with an Amazon Prime subscription or by signing up for a 30-day free trial.
More Champions League fixtures are available on TNT Sports via Discovery+ Premium.
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