Preview: Arsenal vs Real Madrid – prediction, team news, line-ups

Arsenal return to Champions League action as they welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates Stadium for the first-leg of their quarter-final tie.

The Gunners thrashed PSV Eindhoven in the last 16 to make it thus far in the tournament, while Real knocked out city rivals Atletico Madrid after prevailing on penalties against them.

Match Preview

Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes are almost over, despite Liverpool suffering a shock 3-2 loss to Fulham at the weekend.

The Gunners played out a low-key 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday, with the result leaving them 11 points behind the Reds in the table.

Mikel Arteta’s full attention will now be on the Champions League, where his side progressed to the final eight after a 9-3 aggregate victory against PSV.

The North Londoners put seven goals past the Red and Whites in the away leg before a stree free 2-2 draw at the Emirates.

On the other hand, Carlo Ancelotti’s side needed the lottery of penalties to advance to the quarter-finals of the European competition.

Conor Gallagher’s opener at the Metropolitano Stadium meant the two city rivals’ aggregate score was level on 2-2, but Los Blancos won the penalty shootout after Antonio Rudiger scored the decisive spot-kick.

Real will be coming off a shocking 2-1 home defeat to Valencia on Saturday, with Mouctar Diakhaby and Hugo Duro the scorers for the visitors.

The result means Ancelotti’s side are now four points behind Barcelona in the La Liga standings.

Team News

Arsenal news doesn’t offer a lot of encouragement for the Gunners’ fans, as they be without Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Takehiro Tomiyasu due to fitness issues. Raheem Sterling will also be missing, as he must serve a one-game suspension after collecting his third card in the Champions League.

As for Real Madrid, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao remain sidelined with long-term injury issues. But Thibaut Courtois, Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos are expected to recover in time for the important away clash on Tuesday.

Arsenal vs Real Madrid potential line-ups

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

Real Madrid: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe

How to Watch?

Football fans can enjoy all Champions League matches live on TV.

Arsenal vs Real Madrid prediction

Real have plenty of attacking quality in their ranks, and Arsenal’s already injury-ravaged defence are expected to face problems against them. But the fact Mikel Arteta’s men will be playing in front of their home crowd suggests they will be able to earn a draw against the Spanish giants on Tuesday.

Arsenal 1-1 Real Madrid