Arsenal vs Real Madrid 08.04.2025 - 20:00 KO GMT

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Just seen an article asking why Raheem Sterling wasn't included in Arsenal's training session for the Madrid game (asking was he injured and will he be in the squad for the match) erm there's a very good reason for this he is SUSPENDED... https://tbrfootball.com/exceptional-...-madrid-clash/

The article also talks about starting Trossard ahead of Merino and pointing out this makes our front 3 more interchangeable, something I hadn't considered.

The problem is we've done this in the past and if IIRC that interchangeable just means no one is ever in the box when we play balls in there.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I wouldn’t play Merino or Trossard up front both are non starters.

I’d play Nwaneri up front or failing that Saka

[HCZ_Reborn]

https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1...k_DvSqUkaQFrjw

I have to say if everyone was fit, there’s only three Real Madrid players that I’d definitely pick over Arsenal players

Raya or Courtois - Raya

White or Carvajal - White

Gabriel or Rudiger - Gabriel

Saliba or Alaba - Saliba

Timber or Mendy - Not a lot in it but Timber

Partey or Modric - Partey, Modric is 40 isn’t he?

Rice or Valverde - Not great deal in it again but Rice


Odegaard or Bellingham - Both been in poor form but I’d pick Bellingham


Saka or Rodrygo - Saka are you kidding me


Mbappe or Havertz - Obvs Mbappe


Martinelli or Vini jr - Vini Jnr

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I wouldn’t play Merino or Trossard up front both are non starters.

I’d play Nwaneri up front or failing that Saka

Arteta won't start Nwaneri in this game, that's almost a given. If he does play, it'll likely only be as a sub for Saka if he gets tired. Though its more likely Arteta will play another DM there to suffocate the game if we happen to be ahead.

As for who should play as our forward today, I'm still not really sure.

In the short time we've had Merino, he does seem to be a big game player, I appreciate that about him. As for Trossard, he is definitely the more skillful and a better attacking threat on his day. But like I've said recently, his attitude leaves much to be desired and I can't call him a big game player either.

I am leaning towards starting Merino as CF ....Martinelli and Trossard can battle it off for the spot on the left.

[Marc Overmars]

The tricky thing about Real Madrid is that I don’t think it really matters how you set up because they’re the most adaptable team in the world in how they seem to just absorb and cope with whatever they come up against.

For what it’s worth I would start Merino just because I feel we need someone to occupy their centre backs. Saka and Martinelli either side of him should be able to create space to play. If things aren’t working then get Trossard on early in the second half.

[Letters]

Mbappe or Havertz - Obvs Mbappe
Martinelli or Vini jr - Vini Jnr

Ya think?

[HCZ_Reborn]

Moving on

These were the lineups 19 years ago for the first leg in the Bernabeu

Real Madrid

Casillas, Cicinho, Ramos, Woodgate, R Carlos, Gravesen, Zidane, Guti, Beckham, Robinho, Ronaldo


Arsenal

Lehmann, Eboue, K Toure, Senderos, Flamini, Gilberto, Fabregas, Hleb, Ljungberg, Reyes, Henry



We picked the same lineup for the return leg at Highbury but Real Madrid made three changes - Salgado for Cicinho, Raul for Robinho and Raul Bravo for woodgate

[Marc Overmars]

Team to play Real Madrid: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Merino.
Subs: Neto, Setford, Tierney, White, Zinchenko, Trossard, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Nwaneri.

Kiwior.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Team to play Real Madrid: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Merino.
Subs: Neto, Setford, Tierney, White, Zinchenko, Trossard, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Nwaneri.

Once again not impressed with the lineup. Kiwior nor Merino should be playing in my view

[HCZ_Reborn]

Our previous outings against Spanish opposition


1999/00 Barcelona (A) - D 1-1
1999/00 Barcelona (H) - L 2-4
2000/01 Valencia (H) - W 2-1
2000/01 Valencia (A) - L 0-1
2001/02 Real Mallorca (A) - L 0-1
2001/02 Real Mallorca (H) - W 3-1
2001/02 Deportivo (A) - L 0-2
2001/02 Deportivo (H) - L 0-2
2002/03 Valencia (H) - D 0-0
2002/03 Valencia (A) - L 1-2
2003/04 Celta Vigo (A) - W 3-2
2003/04 Celta Vigo (H) - W 2-0
2005/06 Real Madrid (A) - W 1-0
2005/06 Real Madrid (H) - D 0-0
2005/06 Villarreal (H) - W 1-0
2005/06 Villarreal (A) - D 0-0
2005/06 Barcelona (N) - L 1-2
2007/08 Sevilla (H) - W 3-0
2007/08 Sevilla (A) - L 1-3
2008/09 Villarreal (A) - D 1-1
2008/09 Villarreal (H) - W 3-0
2009/10 Barcelona (H) - D 2-2
2009/10 Barcelona (A) - L 1-4
2010/11 Barcelona (H) - W 2-1
2010/11 Barcelona (A) - L 1-3
2015/16 Barcelona (H) - L 0-2
2015/16 Barcelona (A) - L 1-3
2023/24 Sevilla (A) - W 2-1
2023/24 Sevilla (H) - W 2-0
2024/25 Girona (A) - W 2-1