Arsenal vs Real Madrid Champions League tips and predictions

IMAGO Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice will try to take control of the game on Tuesday night — *IMAGO* Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice will try to take control of the game on Tuesday night

Arsenal state of play

It has been a frustrating season for Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard has seen the Premier League title ebb away and injury woes have continued to mount up. But could the Champions League provide the spark a successful end to the 2024/2025 season?

The treatment room is overflowing once again with Gabriel now out for the season after picking up a hamstring issue in the 2-1 home win over Fulham last week. Cutting edge in the final third is also a headache for Arteta.

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Mikel Merino has been deployed as a makeshift centre forward with varying degrees of success.

The 28-year-old had never played as a traditional striker in his entire career prior to the second half of this season. Arsenal could only manage a 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday although rotated players ahead of the Champions League crunch clash in north London.

Real Madrid state of play

It’s a two-horse race in La Liga this season and Real Madrid are going toe-to-toe with arch-rivals Barcelona for title glory.

Whether Carlo Ancelotti’s men can continue to fight on all fronts remains to be seen, but the hugely experienced Italian chief will be desperate to add to the club’s staggering 15 European Cup / Champions League triumphs.

Real are also in the final of the Copa del Rey after a thrilling semi-final battle with Real Sociedad last week.

Ex-Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger was the hero of the night after nodding home in extra time to seal victory over two legs. Real, however, slumped to a 2-1 defeat against struggling Valencia in La Liga on Saturday.

Key talking point: Can Arsenal tame Real’s fearsome front line?

If Mikel Arteta wasn’t worried about Kylian Mbappe before, he certainly will be now following Gabriel’s season-ending injury last week.

The burly Brazilian’s defensive partnership with William Saliba has been one of the big success stories of Arteta’s Arsenal tenure.

Real’s attacking riches are well documented. Mbappe, 26, has 33 goals to his name in all competitions this season.

Vinicius Junior, meanwhile, has 20. Controlling midfield and the supply to Real’s attackers will be key. However, keeping England ace Jude Bellingham and winger Rodrygo quiet for 90 minutes will be no mean feat either.

FIRST’s top tip for Arsenal vs Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe first goal scorer at 17/4 (BetMGM)

The superstar striker is a generational talent with his eyes on the prize. Arsenal should be worried. Nearly a third of Real's La Liga points tally this season have come from Mbappe's goals.

No other player in the Spanish top-flight has directly contributed more points to his team than the Frenchman. Mbappe is also still on track to record the best debut season of any player in Real Madrid's history should he break Ivan Zamorano's record of 37.

Extra tips

Jude Bellingham assist at 6/1 (BetMGM)

In the Copa del Rey semi-final last week, Bellingham produced a virtuoso midfield display with four key passes as well as amassing an 85 per cent pass accuracy during the match.

He also won seven free-kicks, had 83 touches and hit the target three times. His 82nd-minute goal means the 21-year-old now has 60 goal contributions in just 84 appearances for Real Madrid.

Declan Rice yellow card at 23/5 (Bet442)

The ex-West Ham ace has been booked six times this season. The influential Gunners midfielder could easily add to that tally as he looks to stifle Real’s attack.

Team news

Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori are both sidelined for the foreseeable future. The same applies to Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu who are all long-term casualties.

Ben White featured against Everton and Bukayo Saka is also now fully fit. Jurrien Timber is available for selection despite an injury scare in the Fulham fixture.

For Real, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are long-term absentees. Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended but Ferland Mendy, Thibaut Courtois and Dani Ceballos could all return to the line up after missing the defeat to Valencia.