Courtois: Madrid wary of Arsenal set-piece threat

Thibaut Courtois acknowledged on Monday that Real Madrid have been working hard to counter Arsenal’s dangerous set-piece tactics ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal clash, while also noting that it's only a matter of time before Mikel Arteta's side finally clinches a trophy.

Real Madrid are set to face Arsenal for the first time in 19 years at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. This high-stakes quarterfinal pits the club that has won a record 15 European Cups against a team yet to secure any major continental silverware. Arsenal, renowned for their proficiency at set pieces, have posed a persistent challenge for Madrid, who have struggled to defend dead ball situations—most recently conceding from a corner during their 2-1 home loss to Valencia in LaLiga.

Speaking ahead of the match, Courtois explained, “We worked on it yesterday. We know how to defend against them. The key is to limit the number of corners we concede and to stay focused and active. Sometimes, even with perfect positioning, a perfectly delivered ball can be hard to defend against.” His comments highlight the ongoing battle in the defensive phase as Real Madrid seek to plug their vulnerabilities.

The stakes are high in both domestic and European competitions, with Madrid currently sitting second in LaLiga, trailing leaders Barcelona by four points, while Arsenal are second in the Premier League, albeit 11 points behind Liverpool. Despite the contrasting league standings, the two sides’ records in Europe tell a different story. Real Madrid have claimed six Champions League titles in the last 11 seasons—even before adding star forward Kylian Mbappé this season—whereas Arsenal only returned to the competition in 2023 after a six-year absence, reaching the quarterfinals last season. Under Arteta, their most recent trophy was the 2020 FA Cup.

Courtois also expressed admiration for Arsenal, stating, “We have a lot of respect for Arsenal. I have many friends who are Arsenal fans. I know they’ve been doing exceptionally well in the Premier League. They’re a young team with a strong defense, great counter-attacking ability, and dangerous set pieces. I believe it’s just a matter of time before they win a trophy.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti backed Vinícius Júnior to bounce back in Tuesday’s match, despite the Brazilian missing a penalty and facing jeers from the home crowd during the Bernabéu defeat against Valencia. “I haven’t spoken with him, and I don’t need to,” Ancelotti remarked. “I know he could have played better, but when he feels he hasn’t done well, he always manages to perform brilliantly in the next game. I’m convinced he’ll deliver a strong performance tomorrow.”

Ancelotti also lauded Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for his achievements at the club. “In just five years, he’s taken this team to the top in Europe. He’s built a complete squad, and there aren’t many managers in Europe who can claim that. There are plenty of teams that excel in certain areas, but as complete as Arsenal, there are very few.”

With such high stakes on the horizon, all eyes will be on Tuesday’s game as both teams look to prove their mettle in what promises to be a riveting quarterfinal showdown.