Surely, this will be one of the fixtures to watch out for in the Champions League quarter-finals. Despite being the home side, Arsenal will have to be at their best to get an advantage in the first leg. Real Madrid are a much better side quality-wise, and most probably, they will win this fixture.
Match info: UEFA Champions League
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Date: Tuesday, 8th April 2025
Time: 8 pm Nigerian time
The perennial Champions League winners meet the perpetual European also-rans in Tuesday's colossal continental tie, as Arsenal welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates for the first leg of their quarter-final.
The Gunners put nine past PSV Eindhoven in the last 16 to storm into the final eight for the second year running, while the holders needed the lottery of penalties to edge out fierce rivals Atletico Madrid.
Head-to-head:
- Arsenal won 1 of the 2 UEFA Champions League meetings between the two teams.
- Real Madrid have never beaten Arsenal.
- The other clash ended in a draw.
- In the 2 Champions League meetings between the two clubs, only 1 goal was scored.
- When Real Madrid lead 0-1 away, they win in 72% of their matches
- Arsenal has scored at least one goal in five consecutive matches
Form:
- Arsenal in the Champions League: W-W-W-W-D
- Arsenal in all competitions: D-D-W-W-D
- Real Madrid in the Champions League: W-W-W-W-W
- Real Madrid in all competitions: W-W-W-D-L
Team News:
- Gabriel suffered a hamstring injury that has ruled him out for the remainder of the season. Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiaysu are both out of action at present.
- Thibaut Courtois is suffering from a muscular issue but has travelled for the match. Due to knee injuries, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao remain on the sidelines.
Player(s) to watch:
- Bukayo Saka will be the main man for Arsenal. His recovery from injury was celebrated by all Gunners, as the Nigerian-born winger scored in less than 7 minutes to his return. He has scored 10 goals this season, with 4 of them coming in the Champions League. He will be a threat to whoever Real Madrid decide to play on the left.
- Kylian Mbappe has lit up Real Madrid with his incredible goalscoring ability, and despite his slow start, he has found his form. He is chasing the record for most goals in a debut season for Real Madrid, and he is on course to do that, with 33 goals in all competitions this campaign, and 7 of them in the Champions League. The Arsenal defense will need all hands on deck to stop him.