Champions League analysis: Arsenal vs Real Madrid - Five key battles and score prediction

Arsenal welcome Champions League holders Real Madrid to Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night in the quarter-finals of the competition. 

Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can get off to a good start before their away tie at the Bernabeu next week.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Tom Nichols takes a look at five battles which will prove decisive in the match.

Bukayo Saka vs Fran Garcia

Bukayo Saka returned from a three-month injury lay-off in Arsenal’s win over Fulham last week. The England winger played just half an hour of the game but still managed to score.

He has undeniable talent, and if someone is going to win this game for Arsenal, it’s hard to look past Saka.

Known for his ability to take his man on before hitting a threatening cross or bending shot towards goal, it will take a strong performance from Madrid left-back Fran Garcia to keep Saka at bay.

Garcia has found himself back in the Real Madrid line-up after first-choice left-back Ferland Mendy was injured in their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid.

He rejoined his boyhood club after three seasons at Rayo Vallecano, helping them earn promotion from LaLiga 2, establishing themselves as a solid LaLiga team.

Garcia has won an average of 2.3 duels per game and made 1.4 tackles per game. 

The Spaniard will need to be on top form to stop Saka, who will be eager to get back into the starting XI.

Kylian Mbappe vs William Saliba

Kylian Mbappe has had an amazing first season in Real Madrid colours. The striker has scored 32 goals and chipped in with four assists in 46 games across all competitions.

The Frenchman is known for his pace, power and his ability to get in behind defences.

The last time Madrid played an English side in the Champions League, Mbappe scored a hat-trick - he will be hoping he can replicate this performance at the Emirates.

William Saliba knows Mbappe well, having spent plenty of time together when they are on international duty with France.

Saliba is likely to be without his centre-back partner Gabriel, after the Brazilian was forced off through injury in their 2-1 win over Fulham.

Saliba has recorded an impressive 64.4% dual win rate this season, alongside 4.45 recoveries per 90.

With both players at the very top of their game, this is likely to be a vital battle in the tie.

Jude Bellingham vs Declan Rice

Jude Bellingham is into his second season at the Bernabeu since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023.

Bellingham has had another impressive season in terms of goals and assists, with 25 combined in all competitions.

The Stourbridge-born star will be relishing the chance to play against England team-mate Declan Rice in a game of this magnitude.

Rice has been a huge part of Arsenal’s title challenge so far, despite the fact it looks like they may fall short this season.

He has been in good form recently, including two assists while on international duty with England.

The former West Ham man will be hoping he can nullify the threat of Bellingham.

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Mikel Merino vs Antonio Rudiger

Mikel Merino has been playing as a makeshift striker recently, due to injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

The Spaniard has scored six goals in his last nine games for the Gunners, including the winner against London rivals Chelsea. He also scored for his country in their 2-2 draw with the Netherlands.

Despite Merino’s recent goalscoring form, he faces an extremely tough challenge. Antonio Rudiger isn’t an easy defender to play against, especially when playing out of position.

Rudiger will be relishing the chance to come back to London and get one over his former rivals.

The German has a good record against Arsenal from his Chelsea days with three wins, one draw and a loss. Rudiger will be hoping to add another win to his record against the Gunners.

Rudiger has formed a partnership at the back with Raul Asencio, however they have not kept a clean sheet since their 1-0 win over Real Sociedad on February 26.

Mikel Arteta vs Carlo Ancelotti

Although Arsenal go into this game as slight favourites, Arteta knows his side need to play to their very best if they want to go to the Bernabeu and protect a lead.

Arsenal have fallen 11 points behind Liverpool in the title race, with just seven games to go. 

They were knocked out of the Carabao cup by Newcastle United and the FA Cup by Manchester United - so the Champions League is the Gunners’ last chance at silverware this season.

With Saka’s return, Arteta will be hoping his star man can fire them to a historic win over the Spanish giants.

Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, will be hoping his side can put their defensive issues behind them when they visit The Emirates. 

Madrid have conceded eight goals in their last three games, albeit they do have some defensive injuries.

Ancelotti and Arteta have managed against each other three times before, with the Italian coming out on top twice and Arteta once. 

Ancelotti will be hoping he can get a third win over Arteta with a win in London.

Score prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Real Madrid

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