Thibaut Courtois makes Arsenal prediction ahead of huge Real Madrid clash | Football

Thibaut Courtois insists Real Madrid have ‘a lot of respect’ for Arsenal and says it is just a ‘matter of time’ before the Gunners win more silverware under Mikel Arteta.

Speaking to the press ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal, Courtois revealed his admiration for the Premier League club.

Arsenal have only won one trophy since Arteta’s appointment back in December 2019 but look set for a third-successive second-place finish in the Premier League.

A Champions League win would of course save a season that is threatening to peter out with Liverpool moving 11 points clear of the Gunners in the title race.

‘We have a lot of respect for Arsenal,’ Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois said. ‘I know they have been doing great and have been close to winning a Premier League.

‘It is a young team with some experienced players, it is a good mix. We know it’s a team who are hard to break down and who can score goals so we have a lot of respect for them.

‘It will be a great game. I think Arsenal are doing great and I guess it’s a matter of time before they win another trophy – they are doing great.’

Arsenal have been boosted by the recent return of Bukayo Saka but losing Gabriel Magalhaes to injury will be a huge blow as they look to knock Champions League holders Real Madrid out of Europe.

Alan Shearer believes Arsenal will give Madrid a ‘really, really good game’ but says the Gunners will need to take a lead to the Bernabeu to stand any chance of progressing.

‘I’m doing Arsenal vs Real Madrid, which I can’t wait for – it’s going to be a cracking game,’ the ex-England striker told Betfair.

‘With the history of Real Madrid, then you have to say they’ll win, but Arsenal will give them a really, really good game and it isn’t going to be easy for Madrid.

‘Arsenal will be a really tough game for Real Madrid – I just think because of who they’ve got up top and their history.

‘I have watched them a few times this season – they didn’t qualify automatically from the league phase, but it’s a football club that has to win that trophy and so many times have gone out and done that.

‘So, for me, they’re the team to beat, but I think that Arsenal will give them a really good game.

‘Arsenal’s best chance for me is getting a really good result tomorrow while it’s at the Emirates. It is obviously bad news about Gabriel’s injury, that will be a big blow for Arsenal.

‘If Arsenal bring their A-game, which they can do, I was there when they beat PSG earlier in the season, and if they play like they did then and they can get a similar result to take them back to the Bernabeu a week later, then that’s what they’ll have to do.

‘I think their best chance is getting a result at home.’

On Saka’s all-important return from the treatment room, Shearer added: ‘Bukayo Saka is one of, if not, Arsenal’s main player. It really hurt them when he was out injured.

‘I’ve been in his position, having been out for a bit longer actually, and when you’ve been out for four months there’s always doubts about how long it’s going to take to get back to where he was.

‘There’s no doubt that he will, but there’s always a slight question mark about how long it’s going to take.

‘But for him to come on last week and score within six minutes, for his confidence it will do him the world of good.

‘He won’t be far away from starting and that can only be a good thing for Arsenal to have him back.

‘It’s great for his teammates, because you’re just in the final few games and when it really matters, like it’s obviously going to have a boost for them, and your best player to come back must give everyone a big lift.

‘Not only everyone else, but mentally for the player, for Saka, to come back and score so soon and feel part of it again – that’s a great thing to have.’

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