A week before the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Arsenal and Real Madrid, Mikel Arteta has made a major announcement. The match is shaping up to be even more dangerous for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
After a round of 16 filled with big moments and controversies, Real Madrid are set to face Arsenal, who dream of reaching the semi-finals and perhaps even lifting the trophy. Although Manchester City and Atlético Madrid were eliminated by Ancelotti’s team, bookmakers still consider Mikel Arteta’s side the favourites. To overturn these odds, Madrid will need to step up their game, especially as their defensive performances have not been at their best this season.
Arteta announces Bukayo Saka’s return – Arsenal’s biggest threat
Speaking of defence, Real Madrid have just learned that Arsenal’s dynamic winger Bukayo Saka is fit again. Injured since 21 December, the English star will make his return to competition on Tuesday night against Fulham in the Premier League. A real threat to any opponent, the 23-year-old is reportedly 100% fit and will be in top form to face Madrid’s defence next week. “Bukayo Saka is ready! He could even start against Fulham… we’ll see tomorrow,” Arteta told the media on Monday.
“He’s done everything he could to be cautious. It’s about putting him back on the pitch at the right time. He’s pushing hard. He really wants to play,” the Gunners’ manager added. There is no doubt that the return of the forward, who has made 250 appearances and scored 67 goals for Arsenal since 2018, is bad news for Real Madrid. Given how dangerous he is, Madridistas will be hoping that Ferland Mendy is at his best for the upcoming double clash.
Real Madrid’s defence vs Arsenal’s attack: who has the upper hand?
As Carlo Ancelotti admitted in his press conference on Monday, Real Madrid do not have the same defensive solidity as last season. Since Kylian Mbappé’s arrival, the tactical shift from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 has weakened the team’s defensive structure. The absence of Dani Carvajal, who has left the right flank to an out-of-position Lucas Vázquez, has also led to Madrid conceding more goals.
However, in recent weeks, Federico Valverde’s repositioning at right-back and Raúl Asencio’s partnership with Antonio Rüdiger have started to yield positive results. That being said, the left side of Madrid’s defence, with Mendy, remains vulnerable. Given all these factors, it is fair to say that Real Madrid’s defence is not as dominant as it once was.
On 8 April, Arsenal’s attack will still have work to do. Despite having young, quick, and technical players with great chemistry, Arteta’s side will need to be at their best to get past Asencio and, of course, Thibaut Courtois. Without a traditional number nine, the Gunners often rely on quick attacking transitions. Against a Madrid side capable of breaking up play and counter-attacking with devastating speed, the English club will need to remain cautious.
And if Real Madrid are in top form, breaking them down will not be easy, especially given their love affair with the Champions League. Everything remains open. Meanwhile, if Bukayo Saka’s return is set to add a major attacking threat for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta will have to cope without Ricardo Calafiori, his left-back, who picked up an injury while on international duty with Italy.
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