Arsenal vs Real Madrid LIVE: Gunners face Bukayo Saka decision ahead of blockbuster Champions League clash | OneFootball

✕

Close

Saka feeling fresh ahead of Madrid clash

Arsenal face a mighty test of their Champions League credentials as they begin their quarter-final tie against defending champions Real Madrid.

Domestic disappointment looms for Mikel Arteta’s side despite a slip-up for Liverpool on Sunday, with a draw against Everton preventing the London club from gaining particular ground on their title rivals. Focus appears to have shifted, though, to their continental campaign, and the trickiest of last-eight draws against this competition’s heavyweight club.

While they are not having it all their own way in La Liga with Barcelona top of the table, Real Madrid remain right among the favourites to win this competition having overcome city rivals Atletico in the round of 16. Slowing their potent forward line looks a tall task for a defence absent of a couple of key figures - though a makeshift Arsenal backline have frustrated Real Madrid before in this competition...

Bukayo Saka 'getting better' on return from hamstring injury

Bukayo Saka is set to make his first Arsenal start in four months against Real Madrid after building up his minutes off the bench against Fulham and Everton

Saka scored on his Emirates return in the 2-1 win over Fulham last week and he said he is feeling refreshed after recovering from the biggest injury of his career so far.

“Mentally, it was really good for me,” Saka said. "Obviously it was tough initially when I found out the extent of my injury and that I was going to have surgery. But once that was done, and it was successful, I was just focused on coming back stronger.

"The past five years I have been playing game after game, and this was the first proper break that I have had and it was really good for me.

"I got to do a lot of things that I don't normally do. But it is really nice to be back and I feel fresher mentally, for sure."

Bukayo Saka is poised to start for Arsenal (Getty Images)