Arsenal vs Real Madrid

Emirates Stadium sets the stage for the first leg of Arsenal’s mouth-watering Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid.

A 1-1 draw at Everton last weekend devastated Arsenal’s pursuit of a first Premier League title in 21 years, leaving the Champions League as the Gunners’ only realistic chance to avoid a trophyless season. Mikel Arteta’s men are through to the quarter-finals for the second consecutive season, aiming to improve their underwhelming record of six defeats from eight previous appearances at this stage (W2). However, they’ve been outstanding at the Emirates since returning to the competition last term, going unbeaten in all ten home matches (W8, D2). Furthermore, they’ve emerged victorious from five of their seven most recent meetings with Spanish opposition (D1, L1) while overcoming Real Madrid in their only previous tie in 2005/06 (W1, D1). As a result, they could become only the second English team to go unbeaten in their first three H2Hs against Los Merengues at Europe’s top table. 

On the other hand, Real Madrid will be out to redeem themselves to the fans following a dismal 2-1 home defeat to Valencia last weekend, which significantly derailed their La Liga title chances. However, synonymous with the Champions League, the reigning Spanish champions brace up for their 23rd encounter against Premier League opposition since the beginning of the 2017/18 campaign (W11, D5, L6), including a pair of wins against Manchester City in the knockout playoff round. Carlo Ancelotti’s charges have progressed from their last 12 Champions League quarter-final ties and will aim for another success after winning three successive European games outside Madrid. Moreover, they’ve not lost any of their last eight quarter-final first legs in this tournament (W5, D3).