Arsenal will host Real Madrid for the first time in 19 years when the two sides clash in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
Only eight teams remain in the 2024–25 Champions League, setting up a blockbuster battle between Arsenal and Real Madrid. The Gunners have suffered just one loss in their European campaign this season and cruised to the quarterfinals after defeating PSV Eindhoven 9–3 on aggregate in the round of 16. Real Madrid, meanwhile, eliminated Manchester City in the knockout phase playoffs and then needed a penalty shootout to get past Atlético Madrid in the prior round.
The return of Bukayo Saka gives Arsenal a major boost for the upcoming clash at the Emirates while Real Madrid will rely on Kylian Mbappé to lead the way up top. Both sides are missing several key players, though, for the all-important fixture. The Gunners will be without the injured Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Takehiro Tomiyasu, as well as the suspended Raheem Sterling.
Los Blancos will have to get by without the injured Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos, Andriy Lunin, Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal. Aurélien Tchouaméni is also suspended for the clash due to yellow card accumulation.
Here's how both sides could line up in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.






