BREAKING NEWS ‼️: “Having done that, I’m very sure they’ll thrash Real Madrid like us”: Barcelona forward Rafinha has named ONE Mikel Arteta has done that made him believe they’ll thrash Real Madrid tomorrow.

Arsenal vs Real Madrid: Paul Merson says Gunners must win first leg by two goals to have hope of making Champions League semi-finals

Sky Sports’ Paul Merson believes Arsenal need to beat Real Madrid by at least two goals in the first leg if they are to stand a chance of reaching the Champions League semi-finals; Merson: “It was 50:50 when Saka came back from injury. But Gabriel being injured? I say 25 per cent chance”

In his latest Sky Sports column, Paul Merson previews the Champions League quarter-finals, with Arsenal and Aston Villa both in action.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners face holders and 15-time Champions League winners Real Madrid, with the first leg at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

Villa, meanwhile, continue their journey a day later when they visit Paris Saint-Germain, who knocked out Premier League leaders Liverpool in the last round. The tie sees Unai Emery and Marco Asensio visit their former club.

‘Arsenal have to win first leg – possibly by at least two’

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks ahead to his side’s Champions League quarter-final clash against holders Real Madrid and pleads for the Gunners supporters to make a ‘special atmosphere’ at the Emirates.

Arsenal have got to win this first leg. Winning by one is the bare minimum, I think they will have to win it by at least two.

We saw it in last year’s quarter-final with Bayern Munich, where it was comfortable for Bayern in the second leg, after the 2-2 draw at the Emirates. And I don’t see Real Madrid not scoring two goals at the Bernabeu.

Real aren’t playing well at the moment. Arsenal will hurt them because Real are conceding too many goals at the moment.