Real Madrid suffered a humbling exit from the Champions League at the hands of Arsenal, who dominated the quarter-final over two legs. A 3-0 triumph at the Emirates – where Declan Rice stole the spotlight – was followed by a 2-1 victory at the Bernabeu, giving the Gunners a commanding 5-1 aggregate win.
This heavy defeat is expected to spark serious conversations in the Spanish media regarding the need for a squad overhaul at Madrid. While manager Carlo Ancelotti faces questions about his future, several players may also be under threat of losing their starting spots.
Centre-back is one area where changes seem likely, and Arsenal’s William Saliba has often been mentioned as a potential signing. Given this interest, his performance against Madrid in the second leg drew considerable attention in Spain.
Spanish Media Call Out Saliba’s Costly Error
Though Saliba delivered a strong showing across both legs – contributing to Arsenal’s excellent defensive work that stifled Madrid’s top attacking threats, including Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr – his one major lapse stood out. The Frenchman was culpable for Madrid’s lone goal, losing the ball inside his own box and allowing Vinicius to capitalize and score.
Spanish outlets were quick to criticize the mistake, though many still acknowledged Saliba’s otherwise standout performance.
Marca hailed him as Arsenal’s best defender and described the error as out of character: “An uncharacteristic mistake from the Gunners’ top defender, Saliba, let Vinicius pounce and score into an open goal.”
Alex de Llano commended his aerial ability and defensive presence in the box, highlighting his 11 clearances and stating he “thrives in that situation.”
Mundo Deportivo’s reactions were harsher. Mario Calderon echoed that the mistake was unusual for a defender of Saliba’s calibre, while Fernando Gabarro labeled him “reckless,” saying the blunder gave Madrid renewed belief. Anna Cordovilla was blunt, calling it a “monumental mistake.”
Solid Overall Display by Saliba
Despite the criticism, Saliba’s performance remained impressive. His 11 clearances were unmatched on the pitch, with his closest teammate, Jakub Kiwior, managing five. Saliba also registered two interceptions – second only to Rice – and tied for the most tackles won among Arsenal players.
In the end, his commanding presence across both matches is likely to intensify Madrid’s reported interest. But with such a glaring error on display, Arsenal fans might hope it’s enough to make the Spanish giants think twice.
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