Bukayo Saka to start, surprise inclusion and Timber call – Dream Arsenal XI to beat Real Madrid

Bukayo Saka could make his Arsenal return for the major clash with Real Madrid

This is truly an exciting period for Arsenal and while there is disappointment domestically, the meeting of the Gunners with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals is something not seen before since 2006. That famous Peter Drury commentary from close to two decades ago of Thierry Henry scoring, “The Gunner Galactico.”

Pure magic. Now Arsenal will return to the Spanish capital, a very different side from those days without the pedigree of Henry but with the hope that their modern side under Mikel Arteta can pull off one of the biggest European upsets.

Not that Arsenal are not a force, but their situation has been dire this campaign with injuries, in particular, the loss of Bukayo Saka and Ben White for the majority of the season, among plenty of other issues. With that in mind and many now returning, football.london looks at what a dream team could look like to face Los Blancos

David Raya is, of course, in between the sticks for the tests of Kylian Mbappe and company. It will be by far his biggest test of the season, but facing many of his compatriots is sure to be a highlight for him and hopefully, with his performance, the Gunners too.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are probably the most nailed-on picks for the team and the eleven which Arteta will choose. Like Raya, this will be their biggest ever test as a pair and for the Frenchman, perhaps a chance to impress a team who everyone knows is very keen on him.

The full-back positions are tough and the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori have both truly impressed this season in different ways. However, for me, if fully fit, I would go with Ben White on the right and Jurrien Timber on the left to offer the best defensive security of all the options while also giving the right-hand side the familiarity of last season’s best combination.

Into midfield and Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard are again easy choices. Odegaard faces his old side for the first time since leaving, and hopefully, with the re-establishment of the Arsenal right pod, this will revive his best form again.

Up top the return of Bukayo Saka is the exciting part of the selection with the England international and Gunners talisman back and fit. He is targeting these games in his recovery and will want to be in the best place possible to face them.

On the left will be Gabriel Martinelli, who will add the speed needed in transition. Then comes the central role which for me I have gone with a surprise pick of Ethan Nwaneri.

For me, he has been our best finisher this season and has stepped up to the plate time and time again. His goal against Manchester City was glorious and Arteta has backed him to play through the middle in the future so why not now?

Arsenal XI to face Real Madrid – Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Nwaneri, Martinelli