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Arsenal vs Real Madrid Confirmed Lineups, Preview And Prediction | UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals 1st Leg

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Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

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Published08 Apr 2025

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Here’s the latest confirmed Arsenal Vs Real Madrid lineups ahead of Tuesday night’s massive UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are coming into Tuesday’s mouth-watering contest on the back of a 1-1 draw away at Everton. Los Blancos, meanwhile, succumbed to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia.

Arsenal vs Real Madrid Preview

Aiming to qualify for their first Champions League semi-finals since 2009, Arsenal will welcome Real Madrid to North London. Real Madrid, on the other hand, are aiming to get their campaign back on track after suffering two defeats in their last five games across competitions.

Arsenal and Real Madrid have met just twice in UEFA Champions League history. In the 2005-06 Round of 16, the Londoners beat Madrid 1-0 away before drawing 0-0 at Highbury, thus qualifying for the quarter-finals.

The Gunners are the only English team Real Madrid have failed to beat in the Champions League, but it’s been more than 20 years since Real were knocked out at this stage of the competition.

Arsenal have led more minutes (568) than any other side in this year’s tournament, with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz leading the scoring with four each.

Real, meanwhile, have scored 28 times, with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicus Jr netting seven each.

Los Blancos have not lost any of their last eight knockout-round first-leg ties in the Champions League, so Arsenal know they’ll be up against it.

Arsenal Vs Real Madrid Quotes

Ahead of the match, we’ve picked out some of the best quotes from both sides in the build-up to this titanic clash in North London.

Real’s Thibaut Courtois believes home advantage will play little part in Tuesday’s fixture, despite Arsenal’s good record at the Emirates.

He said: “I didn’t know they haven’t lost here in two years. I don’t think it’ll change much. It’s like saying we’ve won 15 Champions League titles, it doesn’t change.

“We know they’re strong at home, Liverpool were when we won there 2-5. If we had played here 20 games and didn’t win, it would have been significant, but that’s not the case.

“We have to try to win; every game is different. It’s the first time we’ve played here. We know they’re strong; they beat City here. We’ll take that into .”

Meanwhile, Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta said his side – along with the fans in the stadium – will need to truly believe if they are to beat Madrid.

Speaking at Monday’s press conference, he said: “Be super convinced. 8pm Tomorrow night, 11 players, 60,000 people, really super convinced that we are ready to win and to beat them.

“That’s the mindset that I want. The rest beat the team that we beat over the last quarter of the season. With all the ups and downs and things that we have to deal with, continue to do that because that’s our super strength.

“That’s why I came into football, that’s why I came into management and especially to this football club. It’s been 20 years since we had this type of game and for us, it’s a great opportunity to build our own story and this is what we’re here for.”

Where To Watch Arsenal F.C Vs Real Madrid

Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg between Arsenal and Real Madrid will be shown live on Amazon Prime to UK viewers.

Coverage starts from 6:30pm BST ahead of kick-off at 8:00pm.

Arsenal vs Real Madrid Form Guide

  • Arsenal’s last 5 games: D-D-W-W-D
  • Real Madrid’s last 5 games: L-W-W-D-L

Arsenal vs Real Madrid Confirmed Lineups

Arsenal:

The Gunners will not have Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Jesus, and Takehiro Tomiyasu at their disposal this Tuesday.

Arsenal lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice; Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Merino.

Real Madrid:

Real Madrid, meanwhile, will continue without Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, but Thibaut Courtois returns to action. Aurelien Tchouameni, however, will serve a suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Real Madrid lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba; Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior;

Arsenal vs Real Madrid Prediction

In the Round of 16 second leg, Atletico Madrid deployed a low-block against Real Madrid, which effectively neutralized Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham. Los Rojiblancos did not have the last laugh, but they showed that Madrid were not unbeatable.

Arsenal have a solid defence that has suffered the lowest xG (8.8) in the Champions League this season. They have conceded just six goals, with only Inter Milan letting in fewer (2). Mikel Arteta could follow in Diego Simeone’s footsteps and try to frustrate Madrid attackers. If he does, it will be mighty difficult for Los Merengues to secure a positive result.

Our prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Real Madrid