(6-3-1) 6 defenders in the lineup for low block defense”, Predicted Arsenal line up vs Real Madrid – as Mikel Arteta prepare for the most difficult game In his career
(6-3-1) 6 defenders in the lineup for low block defense”, Predicted Arsenal line up vs Real Madrid – as Mikel Arteta prepare for the most difficult game In his career
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is sweating over the fitness of key midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
The Ghana midfielder scored the opening goal in the weekend’s 1-1 draw with Brentford in the Premier League but was then forced off shortly afterwards with a knock of unspecified severity
Partey seems to have avoided a serious problem, but he will need a once-over alongside Jorginho and Ben White, the former of whom suffered a blow to the ribs against the Bees after White was ruled out before kickoff.
Partey was fielded as an emergency right-back at the weekend, but Jurrien Timber will no doubt come back into the fray at the Bernabeu, where Myles Lewis-Skelly will attempt to nullify Rodrygo yet again.
As Riccardo Calafiori’s knee is still giving him grief, Jakub Kiwior – hailed for his defensive display alongside William Saliba last week – has earned the right to continue in front of David Raya.
Further forward, Partey will no doubt anchor the midfield if fit enough, while Martin Odegaard and first-leg hero Declan Rice – the only player to score two free kicks in a single UCL knockout game – are shoo-ins.
Following Rice’s sensational set-pieces, Mikel Merino bagged his fourth career goal against Real Madrid – against no side does he boast more – and the Spaniard is set to continue up top with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, unless he is required in midfield.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli
