Arsenal is set to host Real Madrid at the Emirates this evening, marking only the third encounter between the two sides as they vie for a spot in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
Mikel Arteta’s team put on a show in the round of 16, thrashing PSV Eindhoven with a 7-1 victory away from home and securing a 9-3 win on aggregate. In contrast, Real Madrid’s progression was less straightforward, edging past Atlético Madrid in a contentious penalty shootout after a 2-1 lead from the first leg and a 1-0 loss on the night, eventually winning 4-2 on penalties.
With Arsenal all but out of the Premier League title race, trailing Liverpool by 11 points, the Champions League represents a last shot at silverware this season.
A victory in the quarter-finals would set up a semi-final clash with either Aston Villa or Paris Saint-Germain, who play on Wednesday. The Gunners will benefit from playing on their home turf, and Bukayo Saka, fresh from recovery, has issued a warning to the Spanish giants.
On Monday, Saka stated: “We haven’t lost a home game in the Champions League in the last two years. I’m sure they know that. They need to be ready because we’re pretty good at the Emirates.”
The Gunners are determined to make waves in Europe, with Arteta acknowledging the importance of the upcoming match against Real Madrid: “There is a massive gap there for so many years when nothing has happened in this football club in relation to European competitions. And we need to change that. And we need to change that quickly.
“It’s a joy to prepare the game, to look at them, just to look at the reaction of people and how we feel about ourselves coming into a game of this magnitude.
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“The excitement around the club, the people, this is the stage that we want to be and where Arsenal has to be consistently. We are very proud to be there, and now we’re very ready.”
Fans looking to catch the Arsenal vs Real Madrid clash will find it exclusively on Amazon Prime rather than TNT Sports, and it’s available to watch for free with a specific promotion. Kick-off from the Emirates is at 8pm BST (3pm ET)
Coverage starts earlier at 6.30pm BST (1:30pm ET) with Gabby Logan presenting alongside an all-star panel featuring Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Clarence Seedorf, and Cesc Fàbregas. Jon Champion teams up with Alan Shearer for commentary duties during the first-leg face-off.
To enjoy the Arsenal vs Real Madrid spectacle, simply sign up for Amazon Prime’s 30-day trial and stream the action on Prime Video. Each Champions League matchday, Prime Members can access one game absolutely free.
