Arsenal vs. Real Madrid – LIVE

Arsenal host Real Madrid in the first leg of an intriguing UEFA Champions League quarterfinal at Emirates Stadium.

Each team suffered dispiriting domestic setbacks at the weekend, with Mikel Arteta’s side held to a 1-1 draw at Everton before Carlo Ancelotti’s reigning Spanish and European champions suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia.

WATCH: Arsenal vs. Real Madrid LIVE

WATCH: Arsenal vs. Real Madrid LIVE

Barcelona were unable to fully capitalise on their rivals’ loss as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Betis, but it will take some turnaround for Madrid to defend their league title from here. Liverpool losing 3-2 at Fulham did little to change the reality that they are too far away for Arsenal to catch in the Premier League.

As such, both the Gunners and Los Blancos find their seasons hinging on what occurs over the course of this two-legged affair, and a renewed focus on Europe will likely be the strategy.

The Sporting News is following the Arsenal vs. Real Madrid match live, providing score updates and commentary

WATCH: Arsenal vs. Real Madrid LIVE

Arsenal vs. Real Madrid score

Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

WATCH: Arsenal vs. Real Madrid LIVE

Predicted lineups:

Arsenal (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, White, Saliba Lewis-Skelly — Odegaard, Partey, Rice — Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.

Real Madrid (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy — Ceballos, Camavinga — Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius — Mbappe.

Arsenal vs. Real Madrid live updates, highlights, and commentary

WATCH: Arsenal vs. Real Madrid LIVE

2 hours before kickoff. Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of the Champions League quarterfinal first leg between Arsenal and Real Madrid. It’s not too harsh to say that the outcome of this tie will change the perceptions of the winner’s 2024/25 season from average to potentially great.

Arsenal vs. Real Madrid kick off time

The UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match kicks off in London at 8 p.m. local time.

Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:

Arsenal vs. Real Madrid lineups, team news

Bukayo Saka played 45 minutes at Everton and the clear aim is for him to make his first start since returning from a hamstring injury in this crunch clash.

Ben White was similarly back in action at Goodison Park and one option for Mikel Arteta could be moving the English defender to centre-back in the absence of Gabriel, who will miss the rest of the campaign.

Saka’s return means there is the option of playing three conventional attackers in the forward line if Arteta decides to step down Mikel Merino from centre-forward duties after he suffered a cut head at the weekend. The shelf is still fairly bare in attack, however. Raheem Sterling will serve a suspension and Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain in the treatment room.

Arsenal predicted starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, White, Saliba Lewis-Skelly — Odegaard, Partey, Rice — Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.

Arsenal subs: Matchday squads released one hour before kickoff

Teenage goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez acquitted himself reasonably well on his senior debut, which was soured by Hugo Duro’s last-gasp winner at the Santiago Bernabeu. Even so, Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin are expected to return from their respective knee and calf problems for this one.

Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended, denying Carlo Ancelotti a versatile option at centre-back and in central midfield. Raul Asencio well probably come in to partner Antonio Rudiger at the heart of defence, with Eduardo Camavinga playing in central midfield.

Since former Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos has failed to shake off a calf problem, Camavinga could be partnered by Luka Modric if Ancelotti opts to deploy Federico Valverde at right-back. In the other full-back position, Ferland Mendy faces a late fitness test on a muscular injury. If the Frenchman doesn’t make it, Fran Garcia will start.

Despite a disappointing weekend outing, Madrid’s all-star front four are all present and correct.

Real Madrid predicted starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy — Ceballos, Camavinga — Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius — Mbappe.

Real Madrid subs: Matchday squads released one hour before kickoff

Arsenal vs. Real Madrid live stream, TV channel

Here’s how to watch this Champions League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:

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