Arsenal ready to host Real Madrid tonight in their hunt for a first-ever Champions League title
- Anweshan Ghosh
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Arsenal are set to welcome the reigning champions Real Madrid tonight at the Emirates in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
The Gunners' are on the cusp of losing the Premier League title race after the draw against Everton. The only competition left for them to salvage anything out of is the prestigious Champions League.
However, the next challenge for them cannot get any bigger, as they host the 15-time winners who thrashed Man City across the course of two legs in the knockout playoffs round.
Further increasing their challenge, Mikel Arteta’s side have no striker fit to feature in tonight's clash, with both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz forced out due to injuries. Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino is set to be deployed as a makeshift striker yet again in this desperate time for Arteta.
Arsenal evidently lack firepower heading into this fixture, which could potentially be the biggest difference between the two sides tomorrow. Madrid, on the other hand, not only have the big guns but also possess the experience of being in these sorts of positions before, which gives them a clear edge in the tie.
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Both Arsenal and Real Madrid haven't been at their best recently, with the former team being poor offensively while the latter has been poor defensively.
The Gunners' will miss the services of their towering centre-back Gabriel, which could turn out to be a huge setback considering Real Madrid's dangerous front trio.
However, Los Blancos’ turbulent form recently could provide Mikel Arteta and his men with the confidence that they require heading into this tie.
Real’s defence has visibly not been at its best recently, conceding 4 goals against a Real Sociedad side that stands in the bottom half of the scoring charts in La Liga.
On top of Real Madrid's struggles, Bukayo Saka’s return, along with a formidable player like Leandro Trossard, will massively boost the hopes for Mikel Arteta and his men.
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