Carlo Ancelotti goes on Mikel Arteta charm offensive ahead of Champions League clash

Carlo Ancelotti and Mikel Arteta will go head to head in the quarter-finals of the Champions League as Real Madrid take on Arsenal over two legs for a spot in the last four

Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid’s Champions League experience will be crucial if they want to overcome “fantastic” Mikel Arteta. Real Madrid boss Ancelotti pointed to the club’s 15 European Cups as one of their biggest strengths and the reason why it carries them through so many difficult moments.

Arsenal will start the quarter final as underdogs but ex-Everton boss Ancelotti also revealed his huge respect for the job that Arteta has done at the Emirates. Ancelotti said: “Experience in this competition and knowledge in this competition is really important. It means you are not afraid to play this type of game that puts you under a lot of pressure.

“It’s a really important competition. It’s face to face. A lot of pressure. So experience is so important. The fact we have a lot of players who have played a lot of these games gives the younger players more confidence.

“The job we have to do is here and we will have to fight until the very end to make sure that we can win again. We need courage and personality. An important aspect of that is execution. We have prepared for that.

Ancelotti also insisted that Real Madrid face a massive test against Arsenal over two legs.

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The Italian said: “He has built a complete team. There are not many complete teams in Europe. There are teams who do some things well but not many that do everything well like Arsenal do. Arsenal are one of the most important clubs in Europe.

“He arrived when I was at Everton and has taken them to the top of Europe. He is doing a fantastic job and has built a complete team. They are near the top of the Premier League and are in the Champions League quarter finals.

“Mikel Arteta has done a fantastic job. From 2020 onwards he has done really well. The team is stronger than in the past and it will be even stronger in the future.”

Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois declared himself fit to face Arsenal and also says they are ready to deal with their threat from set pieces.

Courtois said: “We have a lot of respect for Arsenal and I have a lot of Arsenal friends so I know they have been doing great and have been close to winning a Premier League. They are playing well with a young team and experiences players.

“They defend well, can press high defend in a low block and quick on the counter attack. They can score easily, are dangerous from set pieces but we have prepared well and have analysed their play and where we can hurt them and hopefully they not hurt us.

“Arsenal are doing great and it is a matter of time they win another trophy although hopefully we can pass them in the Champions League.”

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