And despite Jude Bellingham speaking of Real’s plans for a ‘remontada’ against Arsenal, Mikel Arteta’s side won 2-1 in the second leg for a 5-1 aggregate win.

Arsenal’s reward for beating Los Blancos is a semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain, with Barcelona up against Inter Milan in the other semi-final.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed how he would feel if Arsenal won the Champions League as he predicted the finalists and eventual winner.

READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand says which club he thinks Declan Rice would have preferred to join between Arsenal and Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand ‘wouldn’t mind Arsenal winning’ Champions League but predicts PSG v Inter final

Ferdinand, speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, predicted a final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter, with the Ligue 1 side winning the showpiece.

However, he admitted that his ideal final would be PSG against Barcelona, because of the potential for exciting football in store.

At the same time, Ferdinand admitted that a part of him would like Arsenal to get to the final, and he “wouldn’t mind Arsenal winning it”.

“I’m going to go for a PSG v Inter Milan final,” said Ferdinand. “That’s what I think it will be and I think PSG will win on the day.

“Just – I’d love a Barca v PSG final, that would be my ideal final.”

Ferdinand went on to say: “But a part of me would like Arsenal to get there, I’d like – I wouldn’t mind Arsenal winning it, I’ve got to be honest.

“As much as it would kill me with Joel (Beya), right, Joel would kill me, but I would like to see (Arsenal winning it).

“I like their players, I love (Bukayo) Saka, I love Declan (Rice), I love (Martin) Odegaard, I like (Jurrien) Timber, (Myles) Lewis-Skelly, (William) Saliba, Gabriel – they’re players I like!”

What PSG boss Luis Enrique has said about Arsenal

Luis Enrique, head coach of PSG, has already delivered his verdict on Arsenal from when the two sides locked horns in the group stage.

Arsenal hosted PSG at the Emirates Stadium on 1 October 2024 and ran out 2-0 winners despite PSG dominating possession.

Speaking after the game, Enrique described Arsenal as “one of the best teams in Europe” on the ball and among the best in the world off it.

“I think they are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment,” Enrique said.

“With the ball they are a team very close to the top European level, and without the ball they are also very good.

“I would even say that they are one of the best teams in the world without the ball. They are a team with a real identity. We are similar but also have different styles of play.”