Arsenal host Real Madrid in what promises to be an electrifying clash between two European heavyweights. The Gunners, led by Mikel Arteta, are coming off a dominant 9-3 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Round of 16, showcasing their attacking prowess despite a growing injury list.
Their home form in the competition has been formidable, with four wins and a draw this season, conceding just three goals in the group stage. The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton last time out as they bid their own farewell to Goodison Park in a frustrating way.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring for his side with a well-taken finish but a controversial penalty that was converted by Iliman Ndiaye meant the points were shared
However, the absence of key defender Gabriel for the season, alongside doubts over Ben White and Jurrien Timber, could test their defensive resolve.
Opta reveals Real Madrid have beaten 111 different teams in the European Cup/Champions League, but Arsenal are not yet one of them. To retain serious hopes of a first semi-final for 16 years when heading to Spain next week, the Gunners will probably need to keep that record intact.
Real Madrid, the reigning champions with a record 15 European titles, arrive in North London under Carlo Ancelotti’s stewardship.
Despite a shaky start to their Champions League campaign—losing three of their first five league phase matches—they rallied to win their final three games and edged past Atletico Madrid in a dramatic penalty shootout in the last round.
Their attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham remains a potent threat, though injuries to Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos, coupled with potential disciplinary risks for players like Antonio Rüdiger, may expose vulnerabilities.
Since the start of the 2017-18 campaign, Real Madrid have played 22 matches against English sides in the knockout stages of the Champions League, winning 11 and only losing six. In the last three seasons alone, they have won at Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City
Historically particularly to this fixture, Arsenal and Real Madrid have met sparingly, with their last competitive encounter in the 2005-06 season ending in a Gunners victory.
At the Emirates, Arsenal have not lost a Champions League match since 2017, giving them a psychological edge.
However, Real Madrid’s European pedigree and resilience make them a formidable opponent. Arteta may opt for a pragmatic approach, potentially deploying a compact defensive setup to counter Madrid’s pacey forwards, while looking to exploit their defensive absences through Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.
Expect a tightly contested affair, with both sides’ attacking flair tempered by injury concerns. A high-scoring draw—perhaps 2-2—feels plausible, setting up a thrilling second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. Arsenal will lean on their home crowd, with over 60,000 fans expected, while Real Madrid’s experience could keep them in the tie.
