The UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match between Real Madrid and Arsenal is a crucial moment for both teams in their quest for trophies, although they approach this game from different positions.
The first leg will be held at Arsenal`s Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, giving the Gunners the chance to set the tone for a vital week at home. Arsenal has shown more consistency in the Champions League this season, but they are somewhat in a must-win situation for this particular matchup. The Champions League represents their last opportunity to secure silverware this season, although their 19-year drought in reaching the semifinals highlights the challenge they face.
Manager Mikel Arteta emphasizes the significance of this tie, calling it the most important game of his managerial career.
`Absolutely. The excitement within the club, among the fans, this is the level we aspire to be at, where Arsenal should consistently compete,` Arteta stated during his pre-match press conference on Monday. `This is why I got into football, into management, and especially at this football club. It has been two decades since we`ve had a game of this magnitude, and for us, it`s a fantastic opportunity to create our own history, which is why we are here.`
Arteta faces some lineup decisions ahead of Tuesday`s game. While Bukayo Saka is available, Arsenal will be without Gabriel due to a season-ending hamstring injury from last week. This absence adds to Arsenal`s list of unavailable players, including Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, who are recovering from long-term injuries sustained during the winter.
Real Madrid`s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, is once again tasked with balancing his talented but sometimes inconsistent squad. Expect players like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior to start, while Ancelotti seeks solutions to compensate for the absence of Dani Ceballos, who is out with a muscle injury, and Dani Carvajal, recovering from an ACL tear. This includes finding a role for the versatile Federico Valverde, who offers various options for Real Madrid.
`There’s a question about his position,` Ancelotti mentioned on Monday. `He excels in many roles, whether central or on the wing. I will consider it.`
Here are the projected lineups for the Arsenal vs. Real Madrid Champions League match.
Predicted lineups for Arsenal vs. Real Madrid
Arsenal: David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba; Rodrygo, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham; Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
How to Watch Arsenal vs. Real Madrid, Odds
- Date: Tuesday, April 8
- Location: Emirates Stadium — London
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Arsenal +125; Draw +220; Real Madrid +230
Dominic Ashworth