Former Real Madrid star Adepoju insists it's not over yet, names 4 players that can destroy Arsenal

Former Real Madrid star and retired Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju has issued a UEFA Champions League warning to Arsenal, saying his former club still have a chance of reaching the semifinals despite suffering a heavy 3-0 loss last week at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners did a demolition job in London, leaving Real Madrid needing a miracle to progress to the last four. 

Arsenal secured a convincing win 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. 

Despite the heavy defeat, Adepoju is backing Real Madrid to turn things around when they play at the Santiago Bermabéu Stadium in front of their fans on Wednesday night.

"Technically, they have a chance to come back. They've done it several times, but it's not going to be an easy task because Arsenal are a good team too. 

"That doesn't mean Real Madrid can't come back," Adepoju told allnigeriasoccer.com on Wednesday afternoon.

Adepoju, Nigeria's highest-scoring midfielder in La Liga history with 22 goals in 175 matches, highlighted the potential impact of four key Real Madrid players—Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Fede Valverde, and Rodrygo—saying their performances could prove decisive.

"If Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Valverde, Rodrygo, and others can perform, I believe the Champions League will motivate the players — especially when they're playing at home.

"The players always live up to expectations when it matters most."

Nigerian duo Ethan Nwaneri and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji are expected to be named in Arsenal's matchday squad against Real Madrid, having traveled with the English club to the Spanish capital on Tuesday.

Real Madrid have won their last seven Champions League quarterfinal matchups against English teams.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com