Champions League Preview: Real Madrid v Arsenal – Gunners Aim to Finish the Job in Spain

Arsenal head to Spain with a big advantage as they prepare to face Real Madrid in the second leg of their 2024/25 UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie. The Gunners stunned the 15-time champions with a 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium last week, and now look to protect that lead at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.

Midfielder Declan Rice, who scored two brilliant free kicks in the first leg, will be key once again for Mikel Arteta’s side. Meanwhile, Madrid will hope their world-class attack, including Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, finally comes to life after a quiet showing in London.

Despite the scoreline, Real Madrid remain dangerous—especially at home, where they’ve staged some of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history.

Match Details

• Date: Wednesday, 16 April

• Time: 8 p.m. UK

• Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

• Referee: François Letexier (France)

• VAR: Jérôme Brisard (France)

• Team News

Real Madrid

• Out: Camavinga (suspended), Lunin (muscle), Militão (knee), Mendy (hamstring), Carvajal (knee)

• Doubtful: Ceballos (hamstring)

Arsenal

• Out: Gabriel Magalhães, Calafiori, Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, Havertz, Sterling (suspended)

• Doubtful: Partey, Jorginho

Predicted Lineups

Real Madrid
GK: Courtois
DEF: Vázquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Fran García
MID: Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bellingham
ATT: Rodrygo, Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior

Arsenal
GK: Raya
DEF: Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly
MID: Ødegaard, Rice, Merino
ATT: Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

Key Stats

• 3-0: Arsenal’s first-leg win is only the fifth time Madrid have trailed by 3+ goals in a Champions League knockout tie.

• 0 goals conceded: Arsenal have never let in a goal against Madrid in European competition (3 matches).

• Declan Rice: First player to score two direct free-kicks in a UCL knockout match.

• Kylian Mbappé: 8 goal contributions in 8 UCL knockout games against English teams.

• Arsenal: Recorded 11 shots on target in the first leg – joint-most ever against Real Madrid in a Champions League knockout game.

What to Expect

This will be a massive test of Arsenal’s maturity and discipline. They’ll need to stay calm and organised against a Madrid side likely to attack from the first whistle.

Real Madrid, famous for their comebacks, will look to turn the Bernabeu into a fortress. Arsenal, on the other hand, will try to keep their cool, defend solidly, and hit Madrid on the counter.

Can the Gunners hold their nerve and reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2009? Or will Madrid work their magic again on a European night?

All eyes will be on Madrid this Wednesday.