Arsenal's triumphant 5-1 aggregate victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals has sent shockwaves throughout the football world, sparking a flurry of reactions from players, managers, celebrities, and fans alike. The Gunners' commanding performance, culminating in a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabéu, marked their first semi-final appearance since 2009 and cemented their status as serious contenders for the coveted title.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a well-known Arsenal supporter, was among the first to react, emphasizing the importance of unity and coalition-building in achieving victory. In a post on X, he drew parallels between Arsenal's cohesive team performance and the need for opposition parties to consolidate their strengths in a united front. This statement comes amidst ongoing discussions about potential alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria, adding a political dimension to the Gunners' on-field success.

Arsenal's players and coaching staff were understandably ecstatic following their historic win. Midfielder Declan Rice, who has been instrumental in Arsenal's success this season, hailed the victory as a "special night" for the club and expressed his belief that the team is capable of achieving great things in the coming years. Manager Mikel Arteta echoed Rice's sentiments, emphasizing the team's hunger and determination to build on their achievements. He also noted the significance of reaching the semi-finals for only the third time in the club's history, highlighting the need to continue building and learning from these experiences.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, were left to rue their disappointing performance. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, despite saving an early penalty from Bukayo Saka, lamented his team's lack of accuracy up front and acknowledged Arsenal's superiority over the two legs. Midfielder Lucas Vazquez echoed Courtois' sentiments, admitting that it was a difficult game and that Real Madrid did not create enough chances.

The victory was celebrated wildly by Arsenal fans around the world, including Nigerian comedian AY Makun, who shared a video on Instagram showing him and his friends jubilating after Gabriel Martinelli scored the decisive goal. AY also humorously called out businessman Jowizaza, demanding the $2,000 he was owed from a bet on the match.

Beyond the immediate celebrations, Arsenal's victory was significant for a number of reasons. It marked their fourth consecutive game without defeat against Real Madrid in European competitions, solidifying their status as a bogey team for the Spanish giants. It also equaled their longest away winning run in the Champions League, with their previous fourth win in that run also coming against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. Furthermore, Arsenal became the fourth English team in a row to eliminate Real Madrid from the Champions League, highlighting the Premier League’s dominance in Europe.

Several individual players also etched their names into the Champions League record books. Bukayo Saka's impressive form in the competition continued, as he now has 15 goal involvements in just 16 Champions League matches. William Saliba, meanwhile, recorded 12 clearances in the match, the most in a Champions League fixture since Per Mertesacker in 2014. Notably, young Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly was rated as the top-performing defender across both legs of the quarter-final, showcasing his immense potential.

Adding a touch of intrigue to the victory, it was revealed that Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber had accurately 'predicted' the aggregate scoreline of the match with his routine pregame Bible verse. The chapter and verse he shared on X, 1:5, corresponded to the eventual aggregate scoreline, leading fans to praise his prescience.

However, the match was not without its controversies. A heated bust-up erupted between Bukayo Saka and Dani Carvajal at half-time, with the Real Madrid defender grabbing Saka by the back of the neck. The incident sparked a furious reaction from Saka, and tensions soared as teammates and officials rushed in to separate the two.

Looking ahead, Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, a tie that former Chelsea winger Joe Cole believes favors the French side due to the second leg being played in Paris. However, Piers Morgan, a controversial British broadcaster, has declared Arsenal's Declan Rice as the best midfielder in the world, highlighting the Gunners' strength in the middle of the park.

Despite the euphoria surrounding the victory, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois hit out at his teammates, accusing them of lacking accuracy up front and failing to create enough clear-cut chances. His criticism underscores the disappointment and frustration within the Real Madrid camp following their Champions League exit.

As Arsenal prepare for their semi-final clash with PSG, a supercomputer has predicted that they have a 28.7% chance of winning the Champions League title, making them the slight favorites ahead of Inter Milan, PSG, and Barcelona. Whether or not they can live up to these predictions remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Arsenal's victory over Real Madrid has reignited their Champions League dream and sent a message to the rest of Europe that they are a force to be reckoned with.