Arsenal vs Real Madrid: Champions League predicted lineups, team news and injurie

Bellingham and company have arrived in the capital

Arsenal welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates in a mouth-watering Champions League quarter-finals showdown tonight.

With Liverpool almost certain to be Premier League champions, the UCL is Arsenal’s only hope of ending their five-year trophy drought.

While he may deny it, European success is clearly Mikel Arteta’s priority as the manager rested several key players for the 1-1 draw at Everton on Saturday.

Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka should come back into the line-up, with the England winger set to make his first start since December after recovering from a hamstring injury.

In the continued absence of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, Arteta must once again choose whether to deploy midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker or start natural forward Leandro Trossard who scored against the Toffees.

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It’s at the back where the Gunners have real problems however, with Gabriel Magalhaes out for the rest of the campaign while Riccardo Calafiori is not expected back for a few weeks as he recovers from a knee issue.

Jakub Kiwior partnered William Saliba at centre-back against Everton, but Ben White and Jurrien Timber could also fill-in with the former finally back to full fitness.

Kylian Mbappe has escaped a ban and is free to play Arsenal

As for Real Madrid, there were questions over whether some of their biggest stars could play after being investigated by UEFA over their behaviour toward Atletico Madrid fans.

Vinicius Junior has escaped punishment, while Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger were slapped with suspended one-game bans, meaning they are free to face Arsenal.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has missed the last three games due to a calf issue but has been named in the squad travelling to the Emirates.

How Arsenal could line up tonight…

But should he not be fit in time, and with No.2 keeper Andriy Lunin out, Carlo Ancelotti will be forced to start 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez in-between the sticks.

Key defenders Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao remain sidelined with knee injuries, while Dani Ceballos – who previously spent time on loan at Arsenal – also misses out.

Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended for the first-leg after accumulating three yellow cards but England superstar Jude Bellingham is ready to go.

How Real Madrid could line up tonight…

Predicted Arsenal XI to face Real Madrid

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

Predicted Real Madrid XI to face Arsenal

Courtois, Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba, Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Mbappe

Where to watch Arsenal vs Real Madrid? Kick-off time and TV channel

The first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Arsenal and Real Madrid kicks-off at 8pm on Tuesday, April 8.