Explore our detailed preview for Arsenal vs Real Madrid in the Champions League. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 20:00 BST match.
Arsenal host the reigning European champions in the first leg of a quarter-final tie that contrasts elite tournament pedigree with a resurgent Premier League side seeking to break new ground. The Gunners return to this stage for the second consecutive season, while Madrid are aiming to reach yet another semi-final in a competition they have made their own.
Match Details
Fixture: Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Date: Tuesday, 8 April 2025
Kick-off: 20:00 (UK)
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Our predictions for Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Arsenal’s disciplined shape and home advantage may be enough to keep the tie level, though Madrid’s clinical edge in transition will pose problems. Expect a tightly contested first leg where midfield control defines momentum.
Match Prediction: Arsenal 1–1 Real Madrid
Recent Form Overview
Arsenal – Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Draw- Win – Win – Draw – Draw
- Advanced with a 9-3 aggregate win over PSV, including a record-setting 7-1 away victory.
- Have kept four clean sheets in five home European matches this season.
Real Madrid – Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Loss-Draw – Win – Win – Loss
- Eliminated Atlético Madrid on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw.
- Previously defeated Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate in the play-off round.
Tactical Breakdown
Arsenal – Mikel Arteta (4-3-3)
- Possession-dominant setup with advanced full-backs and midfield rotations.
- Martin Ødegaard anchors the creative structure while Rice and Partey provide dual cover.
- Expect aggressive pressing and width exploitation through Martinelli and Saka.
- Key weakness remains susceptibility to fast central counters.
Real Madrid – Carlo Ancelotti (4-3-3)
- Structured in transition with creative flexibility in the front line.
- Bellingham operates as an advanced midfielder, making late penalty-box entries.
- Vinícius Jr and Mbappe remain the key threat on the counter, supported by Rodrygo.
- Vulnerable to high pressing and recently inconsistent away in England.
Head-to-Head History
2005/06 Champions League Round of 16
- Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal
- Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid
- Thierry Henry’s goal secured Arsenal’s first win at the Bernabéu.
- Arsenal kept 10 clean sheets en route to the final that season.
Predicted Lineups
- Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Kiwior, Timber; Rice, Partey, Ødegaard; Saka, Merino, Martinelli
- Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Vasquez, Rüdiger, Asensio, Mendy; Camavinga, Valverde, Bellingham; Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo, Mbappe
Injury and Suspension Report
Arsenal
- Takehiro Tomiyasu- Doubtful – Knee injury
- Riccardo Calafiori- Out- Knee injury
- Gabriel Jesus- Out- Knee injury
- Kai Havertz- Out- Hamstring injury
Real Madrid
- Éder Militão- Out – ACL injury
- Andrii Lunin- Doubtful- Muscle injury
- Dani Carvajal- Out- Knee injury
Key Battles
- Rice vs Bellingham - Midfield control and box-to-box transitions
- Martinelli vs Vasquez - Arsenal’s pace on the left vs Madrid’s defensive experience.
- Ødegaard vs Camavinga - Creative output and engine battle
- Rodrygo. vs Lewis-Skelly - Madrid’s underrated outlet vs Arsenal’s young star
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won 15 of their last 20 European home matches.
- Real Madrid have won 12 consecutive Champions League quarter-final ties.
- The Gunners’ only previous appearance in the European Cup final came in 2006.
- Thibaut Courtois leads all UCL goalkeepers this season with 43 saves.
Fun Fact
Martin Ødegaard was signed by Real Madrid as a teenager in 2015 and made eight league appearances for the club. After spells on loan, he eventually joined Arsenal permanently in 2021 and now captains the Gunners against his former employers.
