Arsenal aim to confirm their place in the Champions League semifinals as they protect an ironclad aggregate advantage over Real Madrid in the second leg of their quarterfinal matchup from the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
The Gunners romped to a stunning 3-0 first leg victory behind two sensational free-kick goals from Declan Rice.
Thus, it’s thought that Arsenal are in good position to maintain their stranglehold on the matchup and secure a spot in the last four of the competition.
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Yet Real Madrid have “La Remontada” on their minds, referring back to 2017 when El Clasico rivals Barcelona managed to turn around a 4-0 first leg defeat to PSG with a sensational 6-1 second leg victory, advancing 6-5 on aggregate. Los Blancos have a similar turnaround in mind, but doing so against a defensively stout side like Arsenal will be difficult.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
MORE:Â Full head-to-head history between Arsenal and Real Madrid all-time
Real Madrid vs. Arsenal lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
The left-back position has given Carlo Ancelotti a headache all season. Ferland Mendy has been in and out of the lineup with injuries and will miss out here, and Fran Garcia has not proven a capable backup. It could see Eduardo Camavinga moved out wide to fill the hole, leaving Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni to pair at the base of midfield.
Otherwise, the rest of the Real Madrid starters are fully healthy. It’s unclear whether Andriy Lunin will be available off the bench to back up goalkeeping superstar Thibaut Courtois, while Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are long-term absentees.
Real Madrid predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Asensio, Rudiger, Camavinga — Valverde, Tchouameni — Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr. — Mbappe.
Injured:Â Lunin (muscle, doubt), Mendy (hamstring), Carvajal (ACL), Militao (ACL).
Suspended:Â None.
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Arsenal have Bukayo Saka back from his long-term hamstring injury, and the star forward was rested over the weekend, playing 27 minutes off the bench in the Premier League draw with Brentford. So too were starters Martin Odegaard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jurrien Timber, and Mikel Merino all who should rotate back in.
The Gunners are still without long-term absentees Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, while Riccardo Calafiori still needs a bit longer to return from his knee injury suffered on international duty.
The status of Ben White and Jorginho will be monitored ahead of the match, while Thomas Partey is expected to be available in full despite picking up a niggle on the weekend.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly — Odegaard, Partey, Rice — Saka, Merino, Martinelli.
Injured:Â White (knock, doubt), Jorginho (rib, doubt), Gabriel (hamstring), Havertz (hamstring), Jesus (ACL), Tomiyasu (knee), Calafiori (knee).
Suspended:Â None.
Real Madrid vs. Arsenal live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Champions League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
