Declan Rice’s outstanding display at the Emirates has ignited Arsenal’s hopes, giving them one foot firmly in the Champions League semi-finals with a commanding 3-0 lead over Real Madrid. But while the team remains cautious inside the dressing room, a new, powerful sense of belief is sweeping through the club, and it’s impossible to ignore the palpable euphoria outside.
For fans, pundits, and Arsenal legends alike, there’s now a growing sense that this could be the moment when everything changes. Robert Pires, an Invincible from Arsenal’s glory days, sees the team’s current form as a potential turning point in their quest for European dominance. “If Arsenal manage to beat Real Madrid, anything can happen,” Pires said in an exclusive interview with The Independent, hinting at the possibility of the Gunners finally clinching their long-awaited Champions League title.
Pires, a man who knows what it takes to compete at the highest level, acknowledges the difficulty of the road ahead but also sees a newfound spirit within this Arsenal team. “Knowing what it takes to win this title helps you do it again – and Arsenal don’t have that yet. But nothing is impossible,” he added, capturing the spirit of a team now riding high on belief, determination, and a series of electrifying performances.
Despite their dominant 3-0 scoreline from the first leg, no one inside the club is foolish enough to underestimate Real Madrid. The Spanish giants are famed for their magical comebacks and have a rich history of thrilling nights at the Santiago Bernabéu. But Pires believes this could be the moment for Arsenal to push past the ghosts of the past. “We showed 19 years ago that they can be beaten with hard work,” he recalled of the club’s unforgettable victory in 2006, a moment that has come to define the modern-day rivalry between the two clubs.
That historic night in Madrid is still fresh in Pires’ memory, and he believes it can serve as the blueprint for Arteta’s men. “No one is invincible – not even Real Madrid,” he said. “We weren’t afraid of them in 2006. We played with personality and won 1-0. The most important thing is to believe you can do it. If you go into the game with any doubt, Madrid will eat you alive. That Arsenal team truly believed we could knock them out.”
This is exactly the type of mindset that Pires hopes the current generation can embrace. The belief that anything is possible is now running deep within the squad. “If they all work together, they will achieve it,” he affirmed. And it’s not just the team’s unity that’s key—it’s the undeniable talent that’s been on display. The likes of Rice, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli are all rising to the occasion, their collective determination shining through.
Pires, however, is under no illusions about the threat Real Madrid still pose. “They don’t need to play well to win. At any moment, players like Mbappé, Vinicius, or Bellingham can decide a match,” he warned. But the Gunners have one thing in their favor: belief. “They have the talent, but they also have the Bernabéu. That stadium gives Madrid an extra power, an extra energy. But if Arsenal can match that intensity, they will have a real chance.”
The story of Arsenal’s 2006 campaign serves as a reminder that anything is possible. And now, with this new generation of players finding their stride in Europe, it feels as though the club is on the verge of something truly special. For Pires, the current moment feels different. “If they can beat Madrid, they’ll have everything to play for, and that’s the moment when Arsenal can show they’ve turned the corner.”
This is no longer just about beating Real Madrid in a two-legged knockout tie. This is about Arsenal’s evolution into a team that can believe in winning the biggest prize in European football once again. The foundation for success is being laid, and with Arteta’s team finding their rhythm, there’s a growing sense that this could be the turning point—the moment when Arsenal’s belief reaches new heights.
The 2006 heartbreak still lingers in Pires’ mind, but it’s clear that this squad is ready to build something different. “Reaching the final was an incredible achievement, but losing was painful. This time, Arsenal must take the next step,” he said. If this team continues to grow in belief, this could be the season where they finally reach the summit of European football once more.
