Arsenal head to Spain with a giant benefit as they put together to face Actual Madrid within the second leg of their 2024/25 UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie. The Gunners surprised the 15-time champions with a 3-0 win on the Emirates Stadium final week, and now look to guard that lead on the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night time.
Midfielder Declan Rice, who scored two good free kicks within the first leg, will likely be key as soon as once more for Mikel Arteta’s aspect. In the meantime, Madrid will hope their world-class assault, together with Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, lastly involves life after a quiet exhibiting in London.
Regardless of the scoreline, Actual Madrid stay harmful—particularly at house, the place they’ve staged a number of the best comebacks in Champions League historical past.
Match Particulars
Date: Wednesday, 16 April
Time: 8 p.m. UK
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Referee: François Letexier (France)
VAR: Jérôme Brisard (France)
Group Information
Actual Madrid
Out: Camavinga (suspended), Lunin (muscle), Militão (knee), Mendy (hamstring), Carvajal (knee)
Uncertain: Ceballos (hamstring)
Arsenal
Out: Gabriel Magalhães, Calafiori, Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, Havertz, Sterling (suspended)
Uncertain: Partey, Jorginho
Predicted Lineups
Actual Madrid
GK: Courtois
DEF: Vázquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Fran García
MID: Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bellingham
ATT: Rodrygo, Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior
Arsenal
GK: Raya
DEF: Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly
MID: Ødegaard, Rice, Merino
ATT: Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Key Stats
3-0: Arsenal’s first-leg win is simply the fifth time Madrid have trailed by 3+ targets in a Champions League knockout tie.
0 targets conceded: Arsenal have by no means let in a purpose towards Madrid in European competitors (3 matches).
Declan Rice: First participant to attain two direct free-kicks in a UCL knockout match.
Kylian Mbappé: 8 purpose contributions in 8 UCL knockout video games towards English groups.
Arsenal: Recorded 11 pictures on course within the first leg – joint-most ever towards Actual Madrid in a Champions League knockout sport.
What to Anticipate
This will likely be an enormous take a look at of Arsenal’s maturity and self-discipline. They’ll want to remain calm and organised towards a Madrid aspect prone to assault from the primary whistle.
Actual Madrid, well-known for his or her comebacks, will look to show the Bernabeu right into a fortress. Arsenal, alternatively, will attempt to maintain their cool, defend solidly, and hit Madrid on the counter.
Can the Gunners maintain their nerve and attain the semi-finals for the primary time since 2009? Or will Madrid work their magic once more on a European night time?
All eyes will likely be on Madrid this Wednesday.
