UEFA Champions League: Arsenal vs Real Madrid

3 mins read
UEFA Champions League: Arsenal vs Real Madrid

In Today's colossal continental tie, Arsenal welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates for the first leg of their quarter-final in the champions league.

The perennial Champions League winners meet the perpetual European also-rans when Ancelloti faces off a spirited Arteta's side.

The Gunners put nine past PSV Eindhoven in the last 16 to storm into the final eight for the second year running, while the holders needed the lottery of penalties to edge out fierce rivals Atletico Madrid.

While most fans have their eyes on a potential El Clasico final in the Champions League, Arsenal vs. Real Madrid is the highlight fixture of the final eight.

Both sides have their fair share of injuries, but many expect an exciting two legs.

The star power on the field is arguably unmatched across all quarterfinals with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka lining up.

Carlo Ancelotti is facing a series of tricky selection decisions for the game in north London.

The Italian has a good record against Arsenal, winning seven of his 13 career matches against the Gunners, but the Real squad has been hit by injuries in defence, with Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy sidelined.

Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended after picking up his third Champions League booking of the season in the last-16 second-leg win over Atletico Madrid.

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, who have 51 goals between them this season, will start in attack.

Star man Jude Bellingham should also start, facing Arsenal for the first time in his career.

Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr

For Arsenal, Jakub Kiwior's performance at Goodison Park likely would've convinced Arteta that he should be the man to partner William Saliba at centre-back on Tuesday night. Gabriel sustained a hamstring injury last week, which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Jurrien Timber should replace Ben White at right-back, while Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli are all expected to make returns to the starting XI. Bukayo Saka is also poised for his first start since recovering from a hamstring tear.

There are no changes on the injury front, with the hosts without Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli.

Surprisingly, this is just the second time these two teams have met in the competition.

Arsenal famously beat Real Madrid over two legs thanks to a Thierry Henry goal in the 2005-06 season. The Gunners would go on to lose the final to Barcelona in one of the most controversial finals in the competition's history.