'We have seen before' - Ex-Barcelona star Okunowo warns Arsenal not to write off Real Madrid

Former Barcelona defender Gbenga Okunowo has refused to rule out the chances of Real Madrid qualifying for the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League despite suffering a 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. 

Arsenal are on the verge of a Champions League semifinal return for the first time since 2009, thanks to two excellent free-kicks from Declan Rice and a spectacular strike from Mikel Merino, with all the goals coming in a seventeen-minute spell in the second half. 

The scoreline could have been worse for Los Blancos if not for some brilliant saves by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Nigerian football fans showed great interest in the Arsenal versus Real Madrid match as both clubs have a massive following in the country.

In addition, two attackers of Nigerian descent Ethan Nwaneri and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji were included in the Gunners matchday squad, albeit both were unused substitutes, while onetime Nigeria Football Federation target Bukayo Saka made his first start after recovering from a long-term injury. 

Okunowo highlighted that no player from Real Madrid should be blamed for the goals conceded and refrained from selecting Arsenal's top three performers from the match.

"Arsenal played a good game against Real Madrid. I won't blame any Real Madrid player for the goals conceded," Okunowo told allnigeriasoccer.com on Wednesday evening.

"I can't single out any Arsenal player for praise as it was a collective performance — they played as a team.

"I believe Real Madrid have a chance in the second leg. We have seen teams lose heavily in the first leg and come back in the second leg, so they still have a chance to qualify for the semifinals."

Real Madrid, the defending champions of the Champions League, will host Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on April 16, with the winner advancing to face either Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa in the semifinals. 

Okunowo is among the spectators at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys as Barcelona take on Borussia Dortmund in an ongoing Champions League quarterfinal match.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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