Not for a moment did the six goal margin Arsenal built for themselves in the first leg look under threat. The opportunity presented itself for him to indulge his unconventional desire to deploy as many left backs as one football team could hold.

Real Madrid will go into the tie as clear favourites after squeezing past rivals Atletico Madrid in a controversial penalty shootout. Arsenal have the added challenge of being away for the second leg, but there are reasons for Mikel Arteta’s side to believe they can cause an upset.

There are no added expectations or pressure on Arsenal to perform in the Champions League despite their recent struggles in the Premier League, manager Mikel Arteta said on Tuesday ahead of a last-16 return leg match against PSV Eindhoven.