Arsenal Starting XI vs Real Madrid: Confirmed team news and predicted lineup | OneFootball

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Real Madrid: Arteta Faces Crucial Defensive Call

There’s something about European nights that strips a team down to its essentials — not merely of personnel, but of identity. Arsenal enter their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid with a squad defined as much by absence as by presence. What Mikel Arteta puts on the pitch will not just be a lineup, but a statement of trust, compromise, and tactical necessity.

Saka’s Timely Return Offers Familiar Spark

The welcome return of Bukayo Saka could not have come at a better time. Absent for over three months with a hamstring injury, the winger now looks ready to start on Tuesday night. Asked if he’s fit to begin against Real Madrid, Saka replied: “Yeah, but there is only one way to find out!” — a quote which manages to be both reassuring and laced with uncertainty.

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Saka’s inclusion would be a significant boost to an Arsenal side still reeling from multiple injuries. Raheem Sterling is suspended, and Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined. Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhães are also unavailable, the latter ruled out for the season.

Defensive Puzzle Presents Selection Dilemma

This brings us to what may be the most consequential decision of Arteta’s evening: who partners William Saliba at centre-back? With Gabriel injured, Jakub Kiwior is the obvious replacement, but Ben White’s gradual return to fitness — marked by a 60-minute outing against Everton — throws another name into the frame. Arteta may yet opt for White’s experience, depending on his condition.

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Jurrien Timber is available and could slot in at right-back, while young Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are both named in the extended squad — a hint at the kind of depth Arsenal are now calling upon.

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Midfield Solidity and Attack Options

The midfield three is likely to be Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Thomas Partey — the latter two rested at the weekend. Up front, Mikel Merino may lead the line again, though Leandro Trossard has done little to harm his case, having scored in that Everton draw.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3):Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Merino, Martinelli