‘Upset their defence’: Martin Keown says £6m Arsenal player could really trouble Real Madrid tonight

Arsenal are set to contest the most important game of their season so far as they host Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday night.

With the Gunners’ Premier League title challenge all-but over, the Champions League is now their most realistic chance of silverware this season.

However, in Arsenal’s way stand Real Madrid, the most successful Champions League / European Cup team of all time.

Los Blancos have won Europe’s top trophy 15 times, including six times in the past 11 years, and are the current holders.

Martin Keown has now shared “the most important thing” Arsenal must do if they are to beat Real Madrid and named the player who could really hurt the opposition – on one condition.

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Martin Keown urges Arsenal to let Gabriel Martinelli roam centrally against Real Madrid as creativity deemed paramount

Keown, speaking on talkSPORT, explained how Arsenal need to be creative against Real Madrid, urging them to get through the visitors’ midfield.

The Highbury legend noted how a lot of people have been emphasising the need for Arsenal to defend against Real’s strong attack, but he suggested that wasn’t the most important thing.

In addition, he backed £6million man Gabriel Martinelli to potentially cause trouble if he is encouraged to come into the central area.

Commenting on how Arsenal can trouble the holders, Keown said: “I think really trying to get into the bottom of their midfield for us to develop the play through the middle.

“We like to get through, finding space for [Martin] Odegaard, people running from deep, I think that [Gabriel] Martinelli, if he comes into that central area and is encouraged to do so, he has the wheels to upset their defence.”

Keown continued: “There’s a lot of people talking about Arsenal and how can they defend against Real Madrid.

“But the most important thing for Arsenal is to be creative, even without a centre-forward, there has been occasions where they haven’t been creative enough.

“But with the two most creative players back in the team in Bukayo Saka and Martinelli – take nothing away from [Ethan] Nwaneri – I think for goal involvements, he’s had ten now, he’s been a really good addition.

“[Myles] Lewis-Skelly as well can play an important part, so we’re asking a lot of this group, but these are big nights with special occasions.

“And I feel that the fans will play their part in this as well, we have to go and enjoy it, relish it and hope for what would be a huge upset – Real Madrid are big favourites for this one.”

Arsenal team news v Real Madrid

Arsenal will continue to be without a number of key players for the meeting against Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

The Gunners are without Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Takehiro Tomiyasu due to injury.

Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling is suspended after being booked in the last round.

Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Martinelli are one yellow card away from missing the second leg through suspension.

As for Real, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has declared himself “fully fit” after missing the last three games with a knee issues.

Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos are injured, while Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended.

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