Match Preview for Arsenal v Real Madrid
If Mikel Arteta was feeling any apprehension at facing the might of Real Madrid without his first-choice back four, the Arsenal boss was certainly not showing it today.
Arteta cut a bullish figure as he talked up his side’s chances of beating the 15-time European champions tomorrow night, insisting the Gunners were “ready to deliver”.
The Champions League represents Arsenal’s remaining chance of silverware this season with Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Everton all but ending their domestic title challenge, even though table-toppers Liverpool were beaten at Fulham yesterday.
And Arteta is confident his side can take a significant step towards glory by seeing off Madrid over two legs, starting at the Emirates.
He said: “This is the stage where we want to be, where Arsenal have to be consistently. We are very proud to be there and now we are ready to deliver.
“8pm tomorrow night, 11 players, 60,000 people, really super convinced that we are ready to win and to beat them. That’s the mindset that I want.”
Embrace the stage. pic.twitter.com/YYLSbLlt2D
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 7, 2025
Madrid haven’t always looked at their invincible best this season and that was apparent again in Saturday’s shock 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia.
Hugo Duro snatched a 95th-minute winner for Los Che with Vinicius Jr missing another penalty after his failed attempt against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League round of 16.
Madrid are now four points behind Barcelona at the top of La Liga but Ancelotti was not about to criticise his players, and insisted they deserved more.
He said after the game: “We have to take into account the small details, like the missed penalty and then the fact that we conceded from a set piece. And there was a disallowed goal.
“These are small details that can change the dynamic of the match. Valencia played their game, with fantastic work. But Madrid deserved to win, without a doubt.
“Can things be improved? Of course they can. It’s not a matter of attitude; you can criticise whatever you want, but I have the right to see what I see. We’ve had deserved defeats, but today wasn’t deserved. Today there was no lack of attitude.”
Team News for Arsenal v Real Madrid
Arteta opted to rest several key men for the game at Goodison at the weekend with captain Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli all starting on the bench.
They will all return to the XI against Madrid, although it remains to be seen what the Arsenal boss does in defence with lynchpin Gabriel out for the rest of the season.
If Jurrien Timber is passed fit, as expected, it could mean he reclaims his right-back berth with Ben White moving over to the centre to partner William Saliba.
Bukayo Saka is set to make his first start since returning from a serious hamstring injury.
Ancelotti also has problems to solve in his back four. His main issue is whether to select David Alaba or Fran Garcia at left-back.
Alaba has looked a shadow of his former self this season and it is likely Garcia will get the nod.
Thibaut Courtois is expected to return in goal but Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended.
