Park the bus or attack? How Arsenal should set-up against Real Madrid

Arsenal head into the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid armed with a commanding 3-0 advantage - a scoreline that left Los Blancos reeling and perhaps fortunate it wasn’t even more lopsided.

In what Mikel Arteta had described as "the biggest game of his managerial life," his side responded with their greatest triumph under his tenure.

But Arteta now faces a tactical conundrum: will his side sit back and defend their advantage or go on and kill the game off once and for all?

Arsenal's first leg win at a raucous Emirates Stadium can certainly act as a blueprint for the performance levels that are needed at the Santiago Bernabéu, though tactical adjustments will undoubtedly be necessary.

Declan Rice stole all the headlines with two stunning free-kicks, the first player to score two direct free-kick efforts in Champions League history in a knockout-stage game. His heat map showed his forward-biased positioning and aggressive intent as he led Arsenal's attack with five shots and nine touches in the opposition box - both game highs.

But Rice's personal genius was supplemented by moments of collective brilliance. Bukayo Saka, starting for the first time since December, was explosive down the right wing, winning the fouls that made Rice's free-kick heroics possible. His power and close control were instrumental in opening Madrid's defence wide.

Young Myles Lewis-Skelly also had the evening his way. The 18-year old acted like a veteran, successfully executing 12 line-breaking passes and successfully completing all his tackles.

Meanwhile, William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior marshalled the defence to snuff out Madrid's quality-laden attack, as Kiwior proved an effective replacement for injured Gabriel Magalhães.

Arsenal's dominance was sealed with Mikel Merino's beautiful finish, which showed the Spaniard's adaptability in an unfamiliar number-nine role. His non-stop defensive work from the front and pinpoint finishing saw the scoreline echo Arsenal's dominance.

Then there was arguably the greatest architect of the victory: Thomas Partey. Up against a Real Madrid midfield featuring Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham, and Eduardo Camavinga, Partey stamped his authority on the game.

Right from the start, the Ghanaian set the tone in his holding role, dictating Arsenal's pace and allowing Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard to roam and flourish. Partey's statistics speak to his impact: 77 touches, 61 of 66 attempted passes completed (seven of those into the final third), six ball recoveries, and more than half his ground duels won.

But it was his intelligence and decision-making that stood out most, making the game simple with rapid, penetrating passes and creating space to drive Arsenal forward. His performance was top-level midfielding, turning good teams into great ones.

However, news of a potential injury picked up at the weekend would be a severe blow to Arsenal's plan in the second leg, with Partey's absence taking away from them stability as well as penetration in their attack.

Sitting back would be the expected response for most managers in Arteta's position. With a three-goal lead, Arsenal can focus on sitting deep, congesting the channels, and profiting from counter-attacks.

Real Madrid's attacking lineup - featuring Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Bellingham - is arguably the best in the world. While they struggled to find their rhythm in the first leg, the energy of their expectant fans in the Spanish capital will surely inspire a much-improved performance.

Having a double pivot in midfield, with players like Thomas Partey (if he is fit) and Declan Rice would be an extra insurance cover for that attacking threat. David Raya’s goalkeeping exploits have been key to Arsenal's Champions League run, and Arenal’s No.1 will once again be called upon to play his part.

A defensive, disciplined shape will serve to keep the Gunners clear of the high-risk areas created by overcommitting players down the field.

It’s certainly a setup Arteta has employed numerous times in the past, one he is comfortable with and that Arsenal have executed to great effect.

The first memory that comes to mind is Arsenal’s backs-to-the-wall approach against Manchester City earlier this season, when they played with ten men in the second half.

The Gunners held firm at the Etihad for much of the final 45 minutes, effectively preventing City from creating clear-cut chances - until the final kick of the game, when John Stones salvaged a point for the Cityzens.

While it’s unlikely Arteta will instruct his side to adopt such a strict defensive approach, he is well aware that they have the ability to switch to that style of play if they concede early and need to close the game down.

On the other hand, the Gunners have succeeded this season when attacking with a high-pace style of play, especially now Saka has returned from injury.

Real Madrid's defence, though seasoned, has been found wanting, particularly in terms of pace and press. Arsenal's front three of Saka, Merino, and Gabriel Martinelli dismantled them in the first leg, and pressing up could deprive Madrid of much-needed momentum.

Keenness to maintain possession and counter-attack with intent could also restrict Madrid's front line chances to penetrate into open space. Taking the initiative would permit Arsenal to weather the storm and annihilate Madrid's chance of recovery completely.

The most logical solution would likely fall somewhere in the middle. Arteta could have a hybrid solution: begin with a contained, defensive formation to ride out Madrid's early pressure and then convert to an attacking position when chances arise. This flexibility would allow Arsenal to manage the game nicely, minimising the risks and yet retaining the ability to punch from anywhere.

The introduction of the likes of Leandro Trossard or Ethan Nwaneri towards the latter stages of the game would introduce fresh legs and attacking thrust at a potentially tired Madrid defence.

Arteta has solidified his reputation as one of Europe’s most astute tacticians this season, consistently outmanoeuvring some of the game’s most accomplished figures, including Carlo Ancelotti.

His strategic insight and ability to make decisive adjustments will be critical at the Bernabéu. Whether Arsenal opt for a defensive approach, an aggressive pressing game, or a balanced strategy, Arteta will have thoroughly prepared his side to navigate this tricky encounter and move closer to the final.

Nevertheless, this tie remains far from decided. Conquering the formidable challenge of the Bernabéu has proven insurmountable for many. Arsenal can, however, draw some encouragement from precedent.

Real Madrid’s defeat at the Emirates marked only the fifth instance in European Cup or Champions League history where they have lost the first leg of a knockout tie by three or more goals. On three of the last four occasions, they were unable to overturn the deficit.

The exception occurred in the 1975-76 season when they managed a dramatic turnaround against Derby County, ultimately winning 6-5 on aggregate after suffering a 4-1 loss in the first leg.