Arsenal welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates for the very first time on Tuesday night as the pair face off in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. The Gunners have been excellent in Europe this season, with a third-place finish in the all-new league phase being followed up by an emphatic 9-3 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven in the round of 16. Knockout triumphs shouldn't be taken for granted, and Arsenal's comfortable triumph over the Dutch champions has set the stage for this grand occasion.
This is the club's first competitive meeting with Madrid in 19 years, when the two sides played out a stalemate at Highbury after the Gunners became the first English club to win at the Santiago Bernabéu by virtue of Thierry Henry's stunning solo goal. Madrid are laden with superstars and expected to prevail over two legs, but their fallibility has manifested time and time again this season. They were beaten for the tenth time in all competitions at the weekend, as Valencia dented their title hopes by claiming a dramatic late victory in the Spanish capital.
Arsenal's Premier League title hopes aren't completely dead, but the general consensus is that their 2024/25 campaign boils down to these two fixtures with the holders. Here's our preview of Arsenal vs Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid kicks off on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 20:00 BST at the Emirates Stadium, London, with Irfan Peljto officiating the match.
In terms of team news, Bukayo Saka has been eased back in by Arteta since his return from a hamstring tear, and he's expected to be ready to start on Tuesday night. He'll come in for Ethan Nwaneri down the right. Mikel Merino is poised to return to the frontline after starting in midfield on Saturday, with the likes of Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli returning to the starting XI. Timber shook off a knock to feature off the bench at Everton, while Ben White was fit enough to start. In Gabriel's absence, Jakub Kiwior is likely to partner William Saliba after his sturdy performance at the weekend. Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are out of action.
Predicted Arsenal lineup against Real Madrid: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Merino, Martinelli.
On the other side, Real Madrid's Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy have not traveled to north London despite initial optimism that they'd be fit for the first leg. Aurelien Tchouameni's suspension means veteran Luka Modric will start in the middle of the park. David Alaba is reportedly being considered at left-back in Mendy's absence, with Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asensio the preferred centre-back partnership. Federico Valverde has been brilliant at right-back. The four horsemen will start in attack for the visitors, and Thibaut Courtois' return is a big boost. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are long-term absentees.
Predicted Real Madrid lineup against Arsenal: Courtois; Valverde, Asensio, Rudiger, Alaba; Modric, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe.
As for predictions, Arsenal are rated as having a 41.7% chance of heading to Spain for the second leg with a lead, while Real Madrid’s hopes of a win are valued at 31.1%, with 27.2% allotted to a draw. Interestingly, a draw was the outcome for both clubs in the first legs of their UEFA Champions League quarter-finals last season. Arsenal drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich while Real Madrid against Manchester City ended 3-3.
Arsenal are unbeaten in seven games, but have only won three of those. Real Madrid, on the other hand, fell to a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Valencia on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Madrid have won three of their last four Champions League away games, which includes a win against Manchester City in England. However, they tend to have some vulnerabilities on the road, having conceded in five of their last six Champions League away games.
With Arsenal missing Gabriel in defence, it’s hard to see Madrid not finding the net. His absence could prove crucial, and with the attacking talent Madrid have, this bet offers huge value. History is firmly on Madrid’s side too; they haven’t lost the first leg in any of their last eight Champions League knockout stage ties, while Arsenal haven’t been beaten in their last 11 Champions League home games.
As for the attacking prowess on display, Kylian Mbappé stands out as a strong contender to score, given his historically good record against English opposition. The Frenchman has scored 10 goals in 16 games against English teams in the Champions League, four of which came in two matches versus Manchester City this season. He also netted four goals against Manchester City in the knockout play-off round.
In what promises to be a thrilling encounter, Arsenal will need to produce their most stubborn of defensive displays to tame Madrid's stars. An array of La Liga defences have proven that Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded attack can be stopped. They've lost ten games this season, and although they turn it on in this competition, it's not wild to think that Arsenal can beat them on home soil.
With the stakes high and both teams eager to make a statement, fans can expect an electric atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium. The match not only serves as a pivotal point for Arsenal's season, but it also marks a significant chapter in their history against one of football's most storied clubs.
