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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has warned Mikel Arteta’s side that they stand no chance against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final if they lack self-belief. The Gunners are set to face the reigning champions for the first time since 2006 when Henry’s iconic goal at the Bernabeu secured a historic 1-0 win.

Real Madrid, led by Carlo Ancelotti, showed their resilience once again by eliminating Atletico Madrid in a dramatic penalty shootout. Arsenal, on the other hand, cruised past PSV Eindhoven with a 9-3 aggregate victory. However, Henry insists that talent alone won’t be enough to beat a team that has lifted the trophy 15 times.

Henry recalled how his Arsenal side was underestimated in 2006 but defied the odds through sheer belief. “If you go into the game thinking Real Madrid is superior and you can’t beat them, you might as well not show up,” Henry said. “This competition is about mentality. I’ve seen underdogs like Greece win the Euros and Leicester win the Premier League. It’s all about belief.”

Declan Rice, who scored in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against PSV, will be key in midfield alongside Martin Ødegaard, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will look to trouble Madrid’s defense. However, Henry stressed that even a perfect performance may not be enough against Real’s relentless squad, which includes stars like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr.

Arteta echoed Henry’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of minimizing mistakes. “The game will be decided in the boxes. We need to be ruthless in front of goal and create an incredible atmosphere at the Emirates,” the Arsenal manager said.

Arsenal’s previous quarter-final experience against Bayern Munich last season ended in disappointment after a narrow defeat. However, Arteta believes his side has grown since then and can now match the elite teams in Europe. “We had Bayern on the ropes last year. We were close, but lacked that final edge. Hopefully, we’ve learned from that experience,” he added.

Real Madrid’s defensive leader Antonio Rudiger and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will pose a challenge for Arsenal’s attack, while Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga will control the midfield. Arsenal’s backline, led by William Saliba and Ben White, must be at their best to handle the pace of Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr.

With the first leg set to take place at the Emirates Stadium, Henry believes Arsenal must seize the opportunity to gain an advantage. “It’s not just about tactics. It’s about heart, passion, and believing you can beat the best. Without that belief, you’ve lost before the game even starts,” he concluded.