Arsenal hope for Bukayo Saka return for dream Real Madrid meeting in the Champions League

Arsenal hope for Bukayo Saka return for dream Real Madrid meeting in the Champions League

Arsenal will be hoping that Bukayo Saka might indeed return in time to face Real Madrid in the Champions League

Bukayo Saka will be pushing to return to Arsenal for their clash with Real

There it is, Arsenal will play Real Madrid in the next round of the UEFA Champions League. Prepare the highlight reels, you are about the see “Gunner Galactico” Thierry Henry in the yellow 2006 away shirt all the way up to mid-April.

It is a tie which for the Gunners flips the script of their last quarter-final match where they faced Bayern Munich. Arsenal went into that game being pegged as slight favourites, and when they went out to a narrow scoreline, it was a big disappointment.

No, because they are so different, both the managers, the styles, the managers, the history of them,” he said. “We know about the difficulty for sure, but I cannot tell you one other thing.”

This will be the first time since Carlo Ancelotti was manager of Everton that both Arteta and the Italian will face-off against one another. Without question, the tactical mind of Arteta will be relishing an opportunity to work out a game plan for Real.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Arsenal, the manager and the players may have even preferred a draw with the historical icons of the game. Atletico Madrid are a side who have beaten Arsenal in European competition in recent history as Diego Simeone eliminated Arsene Wenger from the Europa League.

It could be a game that suits Arsenal, gives them more space and importantly, does not set them up against the dreaded low block that so many teams have successfully deployed to gazump Arteta. That said, this is a tactical genius in Ancelotti we are talking about and therefore maybe Madrid shock everyone and decide to play on the counter, they certainly have the players to hurt Arsenal.

An all-English midfield battle between Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham will be on display while other key battles like Kylian Mbappe up against countryman William Saliba and maverick defender Gabriel Magalhaes. Vinicius Jr against the in form Jurrien Timber with a potentially returning Bukayo Saka taking on Ferland Mendy.

That’s right, there is a small chance we could see Saka back in an Arsenal shirt by then. You can be sure that the Arsenal talisman will be doing everything in his power to fight his way back into the fold.

He has just under a month to be able to get into contention. Arteta’s most recent comments again prophesised just how willing he is to make a return after the international break.

Considering how quickly Gabriel Martinelli has been able to rejoin the group, it gives hope that there could be a similar situation with Saka. Although it should be noted that both hamstring injuries were different, with the English winger having a procedure on a considerable tear whereas Martinelli did not need to go under the knife.

Arteta again persisted with Mikel Merino against PSV and the Spaniard was largely ineffective. However, bringing on Leandro Trossard, very little changed in a game where the pressure was of course fully off as it was a formality for the Gunners to progress having won the first tie 7-1 in Eindhoven.

Should both Saka and Martinelli be ready to face Madrid, the question will be who starts through the middle. Some have suggested that the Brazilian himself deserves a shot, especially considering the form of Ethan Nwaneri who was given a night off on Wednesday ahead of the visit of Chelsea.

Nwaneri himself has also been referenced as a striker candidate by Arteta and it could be that the youngster is given the nod through the middle, flanked by Saka and Martinelli too. One option who will not be available for the first leg is Raheem Sterling who sadly despite having his best performance in an Arsenal shirt, got a rather silly booking with seconds left in the game. That means he has now picked up three yellow cards in the Champions League this season and will serve a one match suspension.