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April 16, 2025 – Madrid, Spain
The stage is set for one of the most anticipated fixtures in this season’s UEFA Champions League as Arsenal travel to the Santiago Bernabéu to face Real Madrid in the second leg of their quarter-final tie.
Arsenal carry a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead into the clash, but with both sides dealing with injury issues and the pressure of European glory at stake, the night promises drama and intensity in equal measure.
Mikel Arteta has received some timely positive news on the fitness front. Thomas Partey and Ben White have both been declared fit and available after recovering from knocks that had cast doubts over their participation.
Partey was substituted during Arsenal’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Brentford, raising concerns, while White was left out of the squad entirely due to injury. Both trained fully on Tuesday and are expected to feature against Madrid.
However, the Gunners have suffered a fresh blow, as midfielder Jorginho has been ruled out of the second leg after sustaining a rib injury in the same Brentford fixture.
The Italian international did not travel with the squad to Madrid. He joins a growing injury list that already includes Gabriel Magalhães (hamstring), Riccardo Calafiori (knee), Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who have all been sidelined for an extended period.
Despite the absences, Arsenal’s performance in the first leg, where they secured a resounding 3-0 win at the Emirates, puts them in a strong position to advance. Goals from Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Leandro Trossard stunned Real Madrid, who were left with a mountain to climb in front of their home supporters.
For Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, the situation is no better. Key defender Ferland Mendy and goalkeeper Andriy Lunin are unavailable due to injuries, further weakening Madrid’s defensive options. Compounding the crisis, influential midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is suspended following a red card he received during the first leg at the Emirates.
There are also concerns over David Alaba and Federico Valverde, both of whom are rated doubtful and will undergo late fitness tests to determine their availability.
Alaba has been battling with a lingering muscle issue, while Valverde’s fitness concerns come at a crucial time when Madrid need their midfielders to step up.
This leaves Ancelotti with limited options, especially in the midfield. The veteran manager is likely to turn to experienced campaigners like Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos, and Aurélien Tchouaméni to anchor the middle of the park and attempt to dictate the tempo of the game.
Arsenal, buoyed by their first-leg dominance, will aim to maintain their defensive discipline while exploiting Madrid’s defensive gaps on the counter.
Arteta has emphasized that complacency is not an option, especially against a side like Real Madrid known for miraculous Champions League comebacks. He stated in his pre-match press conference, “We must respect the opponent, respect the competition, and show up with our best game. Nothing is done yet.”
Real Madrid will likely approach the game with urgency, seeking early goals to unsettle Arsenal and ignite the home crowd. Ancelotti is expected to adopt a more aggressive system, possibly deploying an extra attacker or advancing full-backs to overwhelm Arsenal’s backline.
Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo will be Madrid’s main threats on the flanks, while Jude Bellingham is set to play a central role in creating opportunities and driving the attack.
A place in the semi-finals is at stake, and for Arsenal, it represents an opportunity to return to European football’s elite after years of absence from the latter stages of the competition.
The Gunners have not reached a Champions League semi-final since the 2008/09 season, and Arteta’s young, dynamic squad now has the chance to etch their names into the club’s history books.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, are chasing their 15th Champions League title and will be desperate to avoid elimination at this stage, especially on home soil.
Their track record of stunning turnarounds in Europe is legendary, having come back from improbable positions in previous campaigns — something Arsenal will be acutely aware of.
Match Details:
Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 21:00 CEST
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid
Aggregate Score: Arsenal leads 3-0
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While Arsenal’s three-goal cushion makes them favorites to progress, Real Madrid’s experience and pedigree in the competition mean this tie is far from over. Both sides will have to contend with injury setbacks and squad adjustments, but with a place in the semi-finals on the line, expect a night of intensity, drama, and high-quality football at the Bernabéu.
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