Arsenal vs. Real Madrid: Can The Gunners shoot down high-flying Los Blancos in London? 

The stage is set for a thrilling UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg between Arsenal (The Gunners) and Real Madrid (Los Blancos).

The two European heavyweights are set to lock horns, with the holders looking to continue their defense of the title.

Arsenal are coming off a successful run in the competition, having beaten Premier League champions Manchester City in the knockout phase play-offs and ousting PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate in the last 16.

They have not won a Champions League quarter-final since 2009 and will be looking to make amends.

In their previous meetings, Arsenal have managed to beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the 2005/06 Champions League round of 16, with Thierry Henry scoring the only goal of the tie. The Gunners went on to reach the final but lost to Barcelona.

Arsenal have a decent record against Spanish clubs, winning 15 of their last 20 matches, but they have struggled in two-legged ties, losing six of their last 12. They have also faced Spanish opponents this season, winning 2-1 at debutants Girona.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, have a strong record against English clubs, winning 26 of their last 44 matches. They have already faced Premier League opponents this season, beating Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate in the knockout phase play-offs.

Los Blancos have a good record in two-legged knockout ties against English clubs, winning 15 of their last 19 matches. They have also had success in the Champions League, winning their record-extending 15th European Cup last season and reaching the quarter-finals for the 40th time.

The teams have several players who have played for both clubs or have played together in the past. Martin Ødegaard, for example, played for Real Madrid’s youth teams before joining Arsenal.

Dani Ceballos played on loan at Arsenal between 2019 and 2021.

Arsenal’s current squad has some key players missing, including Gabriel, who suffered a hamstring injury that requires surgery, and Gabriel Jesus, who is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Real Madrid also have some key players missing, including Thibaut Courtois, who is sidelined by a muscle strain, and Dani Carvajal, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams boasting talented players and a rich history in the competition. The team that can manage its defensive structure and adapt to key absences will likely prevail.

Some notable players to watch out for include Bukayo Saka, who has scored crucial goals for Arsenal, and Kylian Mbappé, who has five goals in his last four league appearances for Real Madrid.

The history between the two teams suggests that Arsenal can cause an upset, but Real Madrid’s strong record in the Champions League makes them a formidable opponent.

Los Blancos are 15 times winners of the UEFA Champions League

Head-to-head

Arsenal and Real Madrid are set to clash in the Champions League quarterfinals, marking the first time the two teams have met in 19 years. Despite Real Madrid’s dominance in the competition, Arsenal hold the head-to-head edge, having won one of their two previous encounters.

The two teams first met in the 2006 Champions League round of 16, with Arsenal emerging victorious. Thierry Henry scored the only goal of the match with a stunning solo effort at the Santiago Bernabéu. In the second leg at the Emirates, Arsenal’s disciplined defense held Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw, sending them through to the quarterfinals.

Henry’s goal in the first leg proved to be the decisive factor, and Arsenal went on to reach the 2006 Champions League final, where they ultimately lost to Barcelona. Real Madrid, on the other hand, have a record 15 Champions League titles in their trophy cabinet.

The upcoming match promises to be an exciting encounter, with superstars like Bukayo Saka and Kylian Mbappé set to feature. The head-to-head record between the two teams stands at:

– Games played: 2
– Arsenal wins: 1
– Real Madrid wins: 0
– Draws: 1

Thierry Henry is the top scorer in the history of Arsenal vs. Real Madrid, with one goal in the two encounters.

The two teams have a rich history in the Champions League, and this match is set to be a thrilling contest between two of the biggest clubs in the world.

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