The Spanish media have been predicting how Carlo Ancelotti will set up his Real Madrid team for their trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Real Madrid travel to North London on Tuesday evening to take on Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals first-leg.
For Arsenal, Mikel Arteta is bidding to become the first Gunners boss since Arsene Wenger in 2009 to reach the semi-finals of the European Cup, meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti is targeting a fourth consecutive appearance in the final four.
Ahead of the mouth-watering clash between two of Europe’s top teams, the line-up for the defending European champions has been predicted.
Marca predict how Real Madrid will line-up vs Arsenal
Real Madrid are expected to make four changes from the team that lost to Valencia over the weekend when they face Arsenal.
The big boost Los Blancos have received is the return of Thibaut Courtois who has overcome an injury and is sure to start against the Gunners.
| Player | Reason | Status |
| Aurelien Tchouameni | Suspended | Out |
| Dani Carvajal | Injured | Out |
| Eder Militao | Injured | Out |
| Ferland Mendy | Injured | Unlikely |
| Thibaut Courtois | Injured | Fit |
| Dani Ceballos | Injured | Unlikely |
Federico Valverde could slot in at right-back to replace Lucas Vazquez, meanwhile, Raul Asencio could return for the suspended Aurelien Tchouameni. Carlo Ancelotti has been considering starting David Alaba at left-back ahead of Fran Garcia.
Brahim Diaz for Rodrygo, who Mikel Merino has hailed, is the other expected change from the Valencia game, with the Brazilian likely to be a major threat to Arsenal, who are without Gabriel Magalhaes.
Marca’s predicted Real Madrid line-up vs Arsenal: Courtois; Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Garcia; Camavinga, Modric, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.
What Mikel Arteta said about facing Real Madrid
Mikel Arteta has admitted Arsenal will need a special plan to prevent Madrid’s front four of Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Bellingham.
Los Blancos’ attack is one of the most feared quartets in Europe and the Gunners will be looking to stop them without one of their best defenders.
Speaking ahead of the match, Arteta told the media: “Yeah, for sure. I mean, with individual qualities that they have, especially when you put them in certain situations, you know the danger that you are facing. But that’s the stages.
“I mean, it doesn’t get much bigger than that. That’s why consistently they’ve been doing, what they’ve been doing in this competition is that they can create those moments.
“And when it comes to the biggest stage, individual performance, players can decide the games, are critical for your success. Obviously something that we have to prevent for sure.”
