As Arsenal prepare for a defining showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu, midfielder Thomas Partey remains calm and focused, exuding the quiet confidence of a team on the rise.

The Gunners head into Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg with a commanding 3-0 advantage, having stunned Real Madrid at the Emirates with a performance that left no doubt about their ambitions. Goals from Declan Rice—who struck twice from set-pieces—and a precise finish from Mikel Merino sealed a remarkable first-leg triumph.

Yet, despite the intimidating reputation of the Bernabeu, Partey is unfazed.

“We all know what we have to do,” he said. “We have to go there with the mentality to win. We want to win every game.”

For Partey, this isn’t just another fixture—it’s a reflection of how far Arsenal have come. Under their current leadership, the team has transformed into a resilient force, unfaltering even in football’s most daunting arenas.

“I think we’ve experienced this many times when we play here [at the Emirates], and I think it’s not going to be something different,” he added, brushing off any suggestions of nerves.

Partey’s calm words mirror a new-found maturity and determination within the Arsenal squad. With unity, belief, and an unwavering focus on victory, the Gunners are marching into Madrid not just to defend a lead—but to make a statement.