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Arsenal predicted starting XI v Real Madrid as Thomas Partey decision made and £32m man drops out

Giuseppe Labellarte

Tue 15 April 2025 20:45, UK

Arsenal are set for the biggest game of their season so far as they lock horns with Real Madrid in Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Arsenal stunned the football world last week with their 3-0 victory over Real Madrid, courtesy of Declan Rice’s free-kick brace and a Dennis Bergkamp-esque finish from Mikel Merino.

However, the job is only half done for Arsenal, and if there’s one team that knows how to claw back victory from the jaws of defeat, it’s Real.

TBR Football looks at who Mikel Arteta could name in the Arsenal starting XI for Wednesday night’s 8pm kick-off at the Bernabeu.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta calls up ‘skilful’ academy midfielder to Arsenal first-team training ahead of Real Madrid clash

Arsenal team news v Real Madrid

Arsenal will be without Jorginho after he limped off during the weekend’s 1-1 draw with Brentford, with Arteta saying he’s “not here” in Madrid.

However, Thomas Partey is “fine” and Ben White returned to training in a boost for Arsenal, with both players having had injury scares.

Raheem Sterling is in contention to feature after missing the first leg against Madrid through suspension.

Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori are all set to miss out through injury.

Thomas Partey tipped to start for Arsenal while Oleksandr Zinchenko likely to drop out

Arteta rested some of his big guns in Saturday’s draw with Brentford and they’re obviously expected to return in Arsenal’s biggest game of the season so far.

David Raya is set to retain his place in goal, while Myles Lewis-Skelly is likely to return to the left flank and Jurrien Timber should return at right-back.

Partey, who started at right-back against Brentford, should return to the midfield despite his recent injury scare, while Kieran Tierney is set to make way.

Jakub Kiwior, who impressed in the first leg, is set to start once again, with William Saliba next to him at centre-back.

Partey is likely to be alongside Rice and Martin Odegaard, with £32million man Oleksandr Zinchenko set to drop out of the XI.

Up front, Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard are likely to make way, with Bukayo Saka and Merino the prime candidates to play alongside Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal predicted starting XI vs Real Madrid (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Merino, Martinelli