Why Man City progressing past Real Madrid would be concerning for the Gunners

By Alessandro Schiavone at Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid 3-0 Man City

Manchester City currently have a list of issues as long as Thibaut Courtois’ wonderful arms.

Undone by Chelsea's former persona non grata’s long kick that laid the groundwork for Valverde’s opener and then denied by the Belgian’s stunning foot save from Nic O'Reilly's close-range strike, the serial winners are now at a crossroads.

Marc Guehi’s side trail Arsenal by seven points in the Premier League, are three goals down in the tie against Real Madrid after the first 90 minutes while rumours of Pep Guardiola walking away at the end of the season refuse to die down.

If that wasn’t bad enough, key players are seriously underperforming. Erling Haaland appears to have lost his Midas touch in 2026, Rodri is a far cry from the player he was before he did his ACL against the Gunners 18 months ago, while ex-whizkid Phil Foden was left out altogether at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Worryingly, Man City were done by a Real Madrid equipo that was down to the bare bones with Mbappe, Bellingham and Rodrygo all missing through injuries.

And unlikely hero Federico Valverde (or maybe not so unlikely given his winner at Celta Vigo the previous weekend) stepped up to thr plate with a first-half sumptuous hat-trick. His second, where he sold ex-Palace defender Marc Guehi a dummy by flicking the ball around him before firing into the far-corner, will surely find its place in the club’s decorated history. All this wasn’t in the script as Pep went for it by fielding FOUR attackers at the home of the 15-time European champions. This was bold... and massively backfired. But it’s easier to talk in hindsight, isn’t its it? 

That said, Arsenal’s main rivals for the Premier League crown could have been handed a historic 4-0 trashing had Donnarumma not repelled Vini Jr’s penalty in the second period. That would probably have been it. Arsenal may not be at their best right now but their closest competitors are faring even worse. Man for man and as a team. In central Spain, Man City lacked urgency, Haaland was a ghost yet again, Doku faded as the game wore on while Semenyo was sub-par. Their defence had known better days too.

On the basis of their horror show on Wednesday there’s not much to suggest that the Mancunians can nullify Valverde’s hat-trick and make the quarterfinals of Europe’s premier competition. The fact that Mbappe is expected to make his return just adds a tad complexity to an already daunting mission.

Naive defending, sterile possession in the final third and a poor shot conversion: it seems that Man City are doing everything to end the season without one of the two biggest trophies in their hands.

The draw at home to Nottingham Forest put a massive dent in the Premier League hopes while Guardiola’s team selections in the Spanish capital left many supporters scratching their heads. 

But asked whether City can “turn it around”, Foden replied “of course” in the mixed zone after the game. This suggests that the club is refusing to read too much into this negative spiral and raise the white flag. The players, the coaching staff, the fans… everyone at the club still fancies their chances of ending the season with the Quadruple. Starting with a Carabao Cup final win tomorrow week versus the north Londoners Because if anyone can, it’s City with their embarrassment of riches, a world-class goalie and Guardiola’s genius.

Yet if a seismic win over Madrid on Tuesday would give them a confidence boost and a renewed sense of optimism for the run-in (provided they win at West Ham today) and add to Arsenal's jangling nerves, going out could have collateral effects on their already fragile egos. Likewise, Arsenal are not through yet ahead of the potentially energy-sapping return leg with Bayer Leverkusen.

For their bitter rivals from the north, a lot will come down to Gabriel Magalhaes 'nemesis’ Haaland against Madrid. If the Norwegian somehow rediscovers his lethal finishing touch in the box then anything is possible on every front. A potential 28th hat-trick of his legendary career would be manna from heaven at such a difficult period and undeniably turn his and the club’s season upside down should it help get the job done. And clearly add to Arsenal's sorrows who may have seven points more on board but have to visit the Etihad giants who possess a game in hand. And a revitalised City side famously does not mess about. The club has a proud history of going on long victorious runs when it matters.

However another Haaland disasterclass coupled with a subsequent elimination would see the Brazilian wind-up merchant's chances of mimicking the Norwegian’s famous gesture from last season when he pointed at the Premier League trophy on his Gunners shirt next tern inevitably boosted. 

If he’s still around though as Barcelona are rumoured to be looking at him for the post-Lewandowski. 

Yet whether that’s a made-up story by the Catalan press ahead of the upcoming presidential elections on the 15th of March which sees Joan Laporta vying to keep his seat is anyone’s guess.

But Arsenal couldn't care less about that as they are eyeing a clean sweep of trophies.

The big question is whether City's season catches on or fades altogether by Tuesday 11.30 pm.