Oleksandr Zinchenko has warned that any lapse in focus against Real Madrid could be costly as Arsenal prepare for their biggest European test yet under Mikel Arteta.
With the Champions League quarter-finals looming, he knows that even the smallest mistake could decide the tie.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has urged Arsenal to maintain absolute concentration as they prepare to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Ukraine international played a key role in securing Arsenal’s passage to the last eight, opening the scoring in their 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven that helped seal a commanding 9-3 aggregate victory.
The Gunners now turn their attention to the reigning European champions, hosting Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on April 8 before travelling to the Santiago Bernabéu for the decisive second leg a week later.
Zinchenko acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge ahead, warning that any lapse in concentration could be fatal against a side with Madrid’s pedigree.
“I think in this competition, especially at this stage, you cannot be relaxed even for one second — because, honestly, the level and demands from all the teams at this stage is so high,” he said. “If you are relaxed, even for a bit, they can punish you. This is what we should learn from the past. I think we have got this experience already, so let’s see how it works.”
For Arsenal, this marks their first back-to-back Champions League quarter-final appearances since 2010, a sign of their growing stature under Mikel Arteta. However, the club has painful recent memories of this stage, having fallen to Bayern Munich in 2024, a defeat that underlined the fine margins that define these encounters.
Until Ivan Perišić’s equaliser in the first half, Arsenal had not conceded a single goal at home in this season’s tournament. Declan Rice briefly restored their lead before Couhaib Driouech levelled again in the second half, exposing vulnerabilities that cannot afford to resurface against Madrid.
With only 17 appearances in all competitions this season, Zinchenko has found himself on the fringes of Arteta’s starting eleven. However, his impact against PSV reignited discussions about his role in the squad. Asked whether his performance should earn him more minutes, he remained measured.
“Whenever the team and head coach needs me, I am there,” he said.
Zinchenko is entering the final year of his contract with Arsenal, and discussions regarding an extension are scheduled for the summer. The 28-year-old Ukrainian international has expressed uncertainty about his future at the club, stating, “I don’t know yet to be honest… It’s still a long way to go until the end of the season.”
During the January transfer window, Arsenal were reportedly open to offers for Zinchenko, with clubs like Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund expressing interest. However, no formal bids were received.
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