Mikel Arteta reveals what Carlo Ancelotti told him about Arsenal after Real Madrid loss

Mikel Arteta revealed Carlo Ancelotti’s kind words after Arsenal knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League (Getty) Mikel Arteta has revealed that Carlo Ancelotti told him that he ‘hopes’ Arsenal will go on to win the Champions League this season following Real Madrid’s exit on Wednesday night. Arsenal held a commanding 3-0 lead from their quarter-final first leg last week, although ahead of their visit to the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid’s players were adamant that they could produce another Champions League comeback. Bukayo Saka’s put Arsenal in front in the 65th minute to give Madrid an even bigger mountain to climb before Ancelotti’s side quickly pulled level when Vinicius Junior capitalised on a mistake from William Saliba to score. However, Madrid were unable to trouble Arsenal even further and Arteta’s side sealed a 2-1 win to silence the Bernabeu with Gabriel Martinelli’s goal in injury time. Arsenal will now play Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final, while in the other Champions League semi-final tie, Barcelona will meet Inter. Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. In an interview with Movistar after Arsenal’s win, Arteta said of Ancelotti: ‘He’s been very affectionate. ‘He has told me that he hopes we win it and that he is happy for us.’ Arsenal will now play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final (Reuters) Meanwhile, Ancelotti’s future as Madrid’s head coach is now in doubt following the club’s elimination from the Champions League. Asked after the game if he believes he has taken charge of his final Champions League match with Madrid, Ancelotti replied: ‘It can happen, if the club decides to change. ‘There is no problem at all. The day I finish here, I can only do one thing, thank the club. If my contract ends or not, I don’t care.’ Carlo Ancelotti is facing calls to be sacked after Real Madrid’s defeat (Shutterstock) Ancelotti also brushed aside a suggestion that he would resign after Madrid’s defeat to Arsenal. The Italian is one of the leading names on the Brazilian Football Confederation’s shortlist to become the national team’s head coach ahead of next year’s World Cup. Brazil are looking for a new head coach after sacking Dorival Junior after the 4-1 defeat to Argentina in World Cup qualifying last month. Madrid, meanwhile, have been heavily linked with a move for their former midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is out of contract as Bayer Leverkusen’s head coach next year. Alonso guided Leverkusen to the German league and cup double last season, while his side narrowly missed out on winning the treble as they lost to Atalanta in the Europa League final. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Apr 17, 2025 - 16:24
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Mikel Arteta reveals what Carlo Ancelotti told him about Arsenal after Real Madrid loss
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Real Madrid, embraces Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Arsenal Stadium on April 08, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta revealed Carlo Ancelotti’s kind words after Arsenal knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League (Getty)

Mikel Arteta has revealed that Carlo Ancelotti told him that he ‘hopes’ Arsenal will go on to win the Champions League this season following Real Madrid’s exit on Wednesday night.

Arsenal held a commanding 3-0 lead from their quarter-final first leg last week, although ahead of their visit to the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid’s players were adamant that they could produce another Champions League comeback.

Bukayo Saka’s put Arsenal in front in the 65th minute to give Madrid an even bigger mountain to climb before Ancelotti’s side quickly pulled level when Vinicius Junior capitalised on a mistake from William Saliba to score.

However, Madrid were unable to trouble Arsenal even further and Arteta’s side sealed a 2-1 win to silence the Bernabeu with Gabriel Martinelli’s goal in injury time.

Arsenal will now play Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final, while in the other Champions League semi-final tie, Barcelona will meet Inter.

Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday

Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.

Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.

In an interview with Movistar after Arsenal’s win, Arteta said of Ancelotti: ‘He’s been very affectionate.

‘He has told me that he hopes we win it and that he is happy for us.’

Soccer Football - Champions League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Real Madrid v Arsenal - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 16, 2025 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard celebrate after the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Arsenal will now play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final (Reuters)

Meanwhile, Ancelotti’s future as Madrid’s head coach is now in doubt following the club’s elimination from the Champions League.

Asked after the game if he believes he has taken charge of his final Champions League match with Madrid, Ancelotti replied: ‘It can happen, if the club decides to change.

‘There is no problem at all. The day I finish here, I can only do one thing, thank the club. If my contract ends or not, I don’t care.’

RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jose Breton/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (15256810n) Carlo Ancelotti head coach of Real Madrid gives instructions during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and Arsenal FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid C.F. v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg, Spain - 16 Apr 2025
Carlo Ancelotti is facing calls to be sacked after Real Madrid’s defeat (Shutterstock)

Ancelotti also brushed aside a suggestion that he would resign after Madrid’s defeat to Arsenal.

The Italian is one of the leading names on the Brazilian Football Confederation’s shortlist to become the national team’s head coach ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Brazil are looking for a new head coach after sacking Dorival Junior after the 4-1 defeat to Argentina in World Cup qualifying last month.

Madrid, meanwhile, have been heavily linked with a move for their former midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is out of contract as Bayer Leverkusen’s head coach next year.

Alonso guided Leverkusen to the German league and cup double last season, while his side narrowly missed out on winning the treble as they lost to Atalanta in the Europa League final.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

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