AFCON 2025
15-time winners, Real Madrid, are set to face Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals, with the first leg taking place at the Emirates Stadium.
Los Blancos have a rich history in this competition, but this could be one of their toughest tests yet. Arsenal have a strong team, led by the returning Bukayo Saka, and will be confident in their chances.
Madrid, however, will rely on their experience and have the advantage of playing the second leg at home, which could give them an edge in the tie.
Here are 3 players that could be game-changers in the first leg.
19 years later. It's Real Madrid in N5 again. pic.twitter.com/xZSyyGyHpZ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 7, 2025
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Mbappe could go down as one of the greatest free transfers in history, and the scary thing is this is only his first season in Spain. The 26-year-old has scored 33 goals in his debut season for Real Madrid, including a hat-trick to dispatch of Manchester City in the playoffs.
If there’s one man who can unlock Arsenal’s stubborn defence, Mbappe is that man, and his record in this competition suggests he could have a big say.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s prospects of securing a positive outcome in this tie significantly improved with Saka’s confirmed involvement, as he’s the team’s standout performer, capable of conjuring something special from thin air.
This could be a tight game, decided by a moment of brilliance, and a player like Saka can provide that spark, especially against a vulnerable Real Madrid defence.
William Saliba (Arsenal)
Saliba vs PSV 🕶️#UCL pic.twitter.com/RFdRxyih3R
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 4, 2025
Not many defenders in the world are as good as Saliba, but he’ll need to be excellent to stop Arsenal from being torn apart at the back.
His partner Gabriel is injured and unavailable for this one, meaning he must take even greater responsibility – and that’s not easy to do against the likes of Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. But Arsenal have the best defense in England and the second-best defense in the Champions League, behind Inter Milan, for a reason.
That defense has been anchored by Saliba, and we believe he could have a monster game in the first leg.
