Real Madrid vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news

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The Football Faithful

·16 aprile 2025

Real Madrid vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news

Arsenal travel to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals tonight in possession of a three-goal advantage.

The winners of tonight’s tie will face Paris Saint-Germain in the next round after they knocked out Aston Villa yesterday evening.

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An all-encompassing Arsenal performance against the reigning European champions last week included a stunning brace from Declan Rice.

⚫️ 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔 🔴 🆚 Real Madrid 🕗 8pm (UK) 🏆 Champions League 🏟️ Santiago Bernabeu
– mercoledì 16 aprile 2025

Mikel Arteta rested the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber in the weekend’s 1-1 draw with Brentford. The trio’s minutes were limited off the bench, which will help them prepare for the battle at the Bernabeu.

The Gunners ended the game with 10 men after Jorginho was unable to complete the match due to an injury that has ruled him out of contention tonight.

Ben White wasn’t risked on Saturday after his training session was interrupted by a slight issue. Nonetheless, the defender has travelled to the Spanish capital alongside Thomas Partey, who was reportedly carrying a knock.

Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are at varying stages of their respective recoveries.

Real Madrid will have to produce a sensational comeback if they are to progress into the final four of the competition.

Eduardo Camavinga is ineligible this evening as a result of being sent off in the dying embers of the first leg. The Frenchman received his second booking after petulantly kicking the ball away in frustration. However, Aurelien Tchouameni has now served his one-match punishment and is available for selection.

Kylian Mbappe may be suspended in La Liga after being red carded at the weekend, but that doesn’t affect his availability for tonight’s crucial clash. Key defenders Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal aren’t able to feature.

Real Madrid vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news

Form

Real Madrid: WDLLW

Despite Kylian Mbappe’s early red card, Los Blancos narrowly defeated Alaves at the weekend.

Eduardo Camavinga netted the only goal before Real Madrid were numerically disadvantaged for over half an hour until Alaves’s Manuel Sanchez was also sent off.

With seven games remaining of the La Liga season, Carlo Ancelotti’s trail league leaders Barcelona by four points.

The word ‘Remontada’ has been circulating around the dressing room in the lead-up to tonight’s game.

In recent history, the European heavyweights have become renowned for their ability to produce unlikely comebacks. Their performance tonight needs to be immaculate if they are to defy the odds and overturn the three-goal deficit.

Read – Arsenal dealt ‘significant’ injury blow ahead of Real Madrid clash

Arsenal: WWDWD

A much-changed Arsenal side were held at home by London rivals Brentford on Saturday.

Thomas Partey’s opener preceded Yoane Wissa’s scrappy equaliser for the Bees. Liverpool dispatched West Ham the following day, which means the Gunners are now 13 points adrift of the league leaders.

Mikel Arteta and his players are investing the majority of their energy into their European exploits and the semi-finals are within touching distance.

The North Londoners were full value for their 3-0 demolition of Real Madrid with the individual moments perhaps overshadowing the combative team performance.

It is potentially unfamiliar territory for Arsenal as they haven’t reached the final four since 2009.

Last Meeting: Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid, Champions League, 8th April 2025

Two unstoppable free-kicks from Declan Rice inspired Arsenal to one of the greatest European nights in their history.

In the first period, the two sides exchanged blows. Thibaut Courtois palmed away Thomas Partey’s attempt from range before David Raya was equal to Kylian Mbappe’s effort.

The Madrid stopper exhibited his quick reactions to produce a smart double save in the final highlight of the half. Courtois clawed away Rice’s header and recovered swiftly to thwart Gabriel Martinelli on the rebound.

Prior to kick-off, Rice had never scored a direct free-kick in his entire senior career. By the 70th minute, the Englishman had fired in two of the highest calibre.

His first was sumptuously curled around the wall and past the despairing dive of Courtois. Somehow, Rice then trumped that impressive strike 12 minutes later with an awe-inspiring hit. Confidence was coursing through his veins and he effortlessly picked out the top corner.

The Gunners weren’t satisfied there and notched their third of the contest against a shellshocked Real Madrid. Myles Lewis-Skelly teed up Mikel Merino and the Spaniard caught out the goalkeeper with an instinctive first-time finish that arrowed into the bottom corner.

The visitors’ misery was compiled in the closing stages as Eduardo Camavinga was sent off for delaying the restart. Camavinga kicked the ball away in frustration, a decision that will cost him his involvement in the return leg.

Predicted Lineups

Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba; Modric, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Merino.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu will be at 20:00 BST on Wednesday 16th April 2025.

Who is the referee?

French referee Francois Letexier will be the match official. Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni will assist him while Stephanie Frappart will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Jerome Brisard and he will be assisted by Bastien Dechepy.