Image source, Getty Images

Were Arsenal fortunate to get the win against Real Madrid in the first leg? And is it too soon to consider them favourites to be crowned European champions come 31 May?

Statistics prove their famous victory at Emirates Stadium was indeed fully deserved and they could well be serious contenders for the Champions League title.

They generated an xG of 1.64 in the first leg from 12 shots, of which 11 were on target, compared to Real Madrid's xG of 0.5 from nine attempts.

They also inflicted on Real Madrid their joint-heaviest defeat in the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie.

Mikel Arteta's men registered 11 shots on target in the game - the joint-most on record (since 2003-04) by a team in a Champions League knockout stage game against Real Madrid (also 11 by Liverpool in March 2009).

One of their biggest weapons this season has been their prowess from set-pieces. The Gunners have scored 21 goals from set pieces across all competitions this season - the most by any Premier League team.

Well that's that then.

Ye of little faith...

Do you agree with our old mate Supercomputer that Arsenal are favourites to win the Champions League?

I'll not make you send your thoughts in again (you can if you want).

Thumbs up if you believe Arsenal are favourites, thumbs down if you don't.

A reminder that Arsenal are currently leading the pack in Opta's supercomputer predictions.

The Gunners currently sit favourites to win their first ever Champions League title ahead of Barcelona and PSG.

Mikel Arteta's side have a massive 95.7% chance of reaching the semi-finals after their 3-0 first leg victory over Real Madrid and have a 27.8% likelihood of winning the entire thing.

Barcelona are just behind with a 25.9% probability of winning the tournament while PSG, also with zero Champions League titles to their name, have a 21.9% chance.

Anyone else got a strict regimented list like Andrew? Can't help but respect it.

Poland striker Lewandowski may well be approaching the end of his career, but he is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down.

The 36-year-old's double against former club Dortmund took him to 99 goals in 140 games for Barca, while he became the first player in Europe's top five leagues to score 40 goals across all competitions this season.

Lewandowski is also enjoying his best season in Barca colours, having already surpassed his totals from 2022-23 and 2023-24.

The ruthless finishes against Dortmund were typical of his scoring habits in Spain - 93 of his 99 goals have come inside the penalty area.

On a night to remember, the Poland captain has become the first player in Champions League history to score 10 or more goals in a single season for three different teams - Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Image source, Opta

Newcastle fan by any chance, Luke?

You might not need the extra spot!

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist

Image source, Getty Images

In two seasons at the club, Raphinha was used off the bench 11 times and started just 42 games out of a possible 76.

The message coming out of Barcelona was simple. "We don't want to lose you, but we think you ought to go," seemed to be the gist of it.

Raphinha had other ideas, although it was a close-run thing.

"There were several moments, not just one [when I considered leaving]," he admitted.

"There was a lot of self-doubt. I have a nasty habit of criticising myself heavily, so to speak, so that pressure made me think about leaving."

The dismissal of manager Xavi in May and subsequent appointment of Hansi Flick changed everything.

The German coach gave Raphinha a bigger role and allowed him to play with confidence. He is now a player reborn.

Flick focused his work on the importance of making smarter decisions, knowing when to dribble, when to pass, and the more direct style suited him too.

These days he loses the ball less and is more efficient and composed in front of goal.

Nobody should argue his right to be considered one of the top players in the world.

3-1 Barcelona this time, eh Anthony?

JOKING, obviously.

Image source, Getty Images

What a season Raphinha is having.

Three years ago he was helping Leeds United retain their Premier League status and now he's on a mission to help Barcelona win a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble.

The Brazilian winger scored once and provided two assists in Barcelona's thumping of Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday evening, taking his tally to 28 and 22 respectively for the season in all competitions.

Image source, Getty Images

Barcelona have set their sights on their first Champions League title since 2015 and they will be aided by the excellent form they are in during that bid.

Hansi Flick's side are unbeaten across all competitions in 2025 - that is 23 games without a defeat and they have won 19 of those games.

It is their best unbeaten start to a calendar year in their history.

They won six of their eight games in the league phase this season to finish second - only two points behind table toppers Liverpool.

Barca have won five different games by a margin of at least three goals this season and it's the first time they have done so in a major European competition.

I see you're not a fan of the English clubs remaining in the competition then, Christian?

WHICH has set me up nicely for this age old Get Involved debate, thank you.

I already know it's splitting opinion before it's typed out.

If you're a neutral, are you wanting English clubs to do well in Europe? Or have you got the old Bah Humbug approach, and if your team isn't involved - you simply could not care less.

And, either or, what's the final YOU want to see.

Get them opinions flooding my way, please!

If you have missed any of the action this week, do not worry.

We have got you covered.

Click on the play icons below to watch highlights from the first legs of all four Champions League quarter-final ties.