CL Match Preview: Real Madrid vs Arsenal

Just over a week on from arguably their best performance of the season, The Gunners will be up against Real Madrid yet again for the second leg tie at the Santiago Bernabeu.
 

Two outrageous set-piece goals from Declan Rice and a tidy finish from Mikel Merino ensured we'd enjoy a three goal cushion ahead of our trip to Spain. Despite the draw to Brentford last time out being less than ideal ahead of such a massive game, the Gunners will undoubtedly remain favorites to progress to the semi-final. Confidence will be riding high but Arsenal have been advised to employ a precautionary approach by the media despite their superior position. It has been widely reported that Real management will pull out all the stops in order to overturn the three goal deficit. With that said however, reports of a training ground bust-up ahead of the game and Luka Modric's acquisition of a minority stake in Swansea City may threaten to scupper those plans.

Furthermore, overcoming Arsenal's rock solid defense will be a difficult task even at an iconic venue such as the Bernabeu. Just to show how impressive we've been in the UCL defensively, we rank 1st in the following metrics: XG against (0.84), Shots faced (2.6) and shots on target faced (also 2.6) with Arsenal ranking 2nd for goals conceded per 90 (0.55). Gooners have the right to be quietly confident!
 

Team News

One player who is confirmed to miss out is Jorginho. The Italian international was substituted late on in the draw against Brentford with an apparent chest injury. With reports stating he was finding it uncomfortable to breathe, he's definitely out of the Madrid tie. Despite losing one midfielder, Arsenal will be boosted by the availability of another as Thomas Partey has travelled with the squad. The Ghanaian was also taken off as a result of a minor issue against Brentford but he has been passed fit to feature. Mikel Arteta also confirmed the return of Ben White to the squad after missing the game at the weekend.

Predicted lineup

If it's not broken, don't fix it. That will be all I have to say about our predicted lineup. Everyone who started in the first leg was superb so I see no reason why Arteta should tweak it. With that said, here's my predicted eleven:

David Raya

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Jakub Kiwior

William Saliba

Jurrien Timber

Thomas Partey

Declan Rice

Martin Ødegaard ©

Bukayo Saka

Mikel Merino

Gabriel Martinelli.

The last time Arsenal conceded three or more goals in a single game was in December 2023 against Luton (4-3) while the last time we lost a game by a margin of three goals or more was earlier in that same year in a 3-0 loss at home to Brighton. Arsenal have improved considerably in the defense since that time which will also serve as an indicator of the size of the task at hand for Real Madrid. Arsenal should be weary but not so much that they completely focus on defending their lead. The game will be a fascinating watch, one that I'm pretty confident will end with us qualifying. On the night however, I'll go for a 2-1 win for Real Madrid.