Arsenal host Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night in potentially their biggest game of the season so far.
With Liverpool almost certain to be Premier League champions, the UCL is Arsenal’s only hope of ending their five-year trophy drought.
While he may deny it, European success is clearly Mikel Arteta’s priority as the manager rested several key players for the 1-1 draw at Everton on Saturday.
Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka should come back into the line-up, with the England winger set to make his first start since December after recovering from a hamstring injury.
In the continued absence of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, Arteta must once again choose whether to deploy midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker or start natural forward Leandro Trossard who scored against the Toffees.
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It’s at the back where the Gunners have real problems however, with Gabriel Magalhaes out for the rest of the campaign while Riccardo Calafiori is not expected back for a few weeks as he recovers from a knee issue.
Jakub Kiwior partnered William Saliba at centre-back against Everton, but Ben White and Jurrien Timber could also fill-in with the former finally back to full fitness.
As for Real Madrid, there were questions over whether some of their biggest stars could play after being investigated by UEFA over their behaviour toward Atletico Madrid fans.
Vinicius Junior has escaped punishment, while Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger were slapped with suspended one-game bans, meaning they are free to face Arsenal.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has missed the last three games due to a calf issue but has been named in the squad travelling to the Emirates.
But should he not be fit in time, and with No.2 keeper Andriy Lunin out, Carlo Ancelotti will be forced to start 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez in-between the sticks.
Key defenders Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao remain sidelined with knee injuries, while Dani Ceballos – who previously spent time on loan at Arsenal – also misses out.
Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended for the first-leg after accumulating three yellow cards but England superstar Jude Bellingham is ready to go.
Predicted Arsenal XI to face Real Madrid
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Merino, Martinelli
Predicted Real Madrid XI to face Arsenal
Courtois, Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba, Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Mbappe
Where to watch Arsenal vs Real Madrid? Kick-off time and TV channel
The first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Arsenal and Real Madrid kicks-off at 8pm on Tuesday, April 8.
The match will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video, with coverage starting at 6.30pm.
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