UPDATE : Arsenal are about to unleash dream starting XI vs Real Madrid but there’s a £34m problem

The Gunners could welcome back two key players to their starting lineup against Real Madrid in the Champions League

Ben White and Bukayo Saka could both start against Real Madrid

Everyone of an Arsenal persuasion is hoping Bukayo Saka makes his long-awaited return from injury in time to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final.

Saka has been out since just before Christmas after suffering a hamstring injury in the win over Crystal Palace. His absence has been felt, with the Gunners slipping even further off the Premier League title pace.

It has not just been him, however. A lack of striker, with season-ending injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz has also not helped matters. And it looks as if the Champions League is the only path to silverware now.

The current champions stand in their way, however – possibly the toughest assignment to get at this stage of the competition.

Los Blancos are favourites to lift the crown once more and Arsenal will need their strongest starting XI available to have any chance of beating Kylian Mbappe and co.

Manager Mikel Arteta may be in luck on that front though. He may not be able to call upon Havertz and Jesus, but Saka and a certain other missing player for much of the season should be back.

Saka is the main man for the Gunners and he will give everyone a boost if he is named in the starting lineup for the game at the Emirates Stadium on April 8.

But he could be joined on the right hand side by Benjamin White. The defender has played just nine minutes of Premier League action since November, having been out after knee surgery.

White is arguably the best fit on that right-hand side behind Saka, having built up quite the rapport with the England man in the last few seasons.

Saka and White seem to know each other’s games inside out, with the England duo knowing exactly what to expect of each other both when on the ball attacking and when needing to work defensively