Arsenal vs Real Madrid LIVE!
A titanic Champions League quarter-final clash begins tonight at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners take on the perennial European champions in a hugely anticipated first-leg clash. It could be argued that tonight is Arsenal’s biggest game since their semi-final loss to Manchester United in this competition more than 16 years ago. It is certainly Mikel Arteta’s biggest game as a manager.
The timing is both good and bad for Mikel and his charges, with star man/boy Bukayo Saka finally fit enough to make his first start in any competition this calendar year, having recovered from a hamstring injury, but having recently lost influential Gabriel to a similar injury for the remainder of the season. The Gunners put nine past PSV in the previous round without Saka, but this is a whole other level.
Real Madrid will be without Aurelien Tchouameni, who is suspended, and a further six more are walking a yellow-card tightrope. Thibaut Courtois, though, has been passed fit. Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber are among the Gunners stars one booking away from missing the second leg. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Simon Collings and Dan Kilpatrick at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal XI: Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Merino
Subs: Neto, Setford, Tierney, White, Zinchenko, Trossard, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Nwaneri
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba; Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Subs: Fran Gonzalez, Mestre, Guler, Enrick, Lucas Vazquez, Vallejo, Fran Garcia, Brahim, Gonzalo, Jacobo, Chema, Lorenzo
Arsenal team news to come in five minutes. We’re expecting Saka to start, but who will partner Saliba at the back?
Arsenal still keeping us waiting.
There is a widespread view at Arsenal, which was articulated by Bukayo Saka on Monday, that the winger’s three months on the sidelines could prove a blessing in disguise long-term.
Saka’s hamstring injury was surely the biggest single factor in the collapse of Arsenal’s chances in three competitions since the turn of the year, but he has returned to action feeling mentally “refreshed”, while his body has also had a chance to recover from the rigours of playing so many high-intensity matches over the previous five seasons.
Mikel Arteta believes Saka has the rare durability of the kind of top player who rarely succumbs to injury, such as Lionel Messi, but there have been periods over the last couple of years where it has felt like the 23-year-old has been limping out of games on an alarmingly regular basis.
The question now is whether a rejuvenated Saka can give Arsenal an edge in the only competition where their chances of silverware remain alive, the Champions League, starting with Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg at home to Real Madrid.
Still no team news from Arsenal yet, they may keep as waiting for another 20 minutes or so.
Arsenal are planning to use fireworks, banners, red smoke and a stadium-wide display to create a “special atmosphere” for their Champions League showdown against Real Madrid.
The Gunners are hosting the holders at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday night.
Manager Mikel Arteta has issued a rallying cry to fans and encouraged them to get to the ground early to support the team.
The club have put in work to ensure that Arsenal can create a memorable atmosphere for what is their first competitive meeting with Real Madrid since 2006.
Red smoke and fireworks will be used pre-match, while there will also be two tifo banners on display.
Arsenal also plan to create a red and white display across the whole of the stadium.
Not many surprises in that Real Madrid team, then.
As expected, Courtois starts after recovering from injury and Luka Modric replaces the suspended Aurelien Tchouameni.
It looks like Valverde and right-back, with Alaba on the left. A truly devastating front four.
A few early arrivals at the Emirates.
Action Images via Reuters
Remarkably, these two European juggernauts have met just twice before.
Way back in 2006, Real Madrid and Arsenal were drawn together in the Champions League round of 16.
The Gunners won 1-0 away at the Bernabeu thanks to Thierry Henry’s second-half goal, and then played out a 0-0 draw back at Highbury.
Arsenal went on to reach the final, where they lost to Barcelona.
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