Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Opinion
Carlo Ancelotti could be about to make a big mistake ahead of Real Madrid v Arsenal with starting XI suggested
All eyes will be glued to how Carlo Ancelotti and Mikel Arteta set Real Madrid and Arsenal up respectively in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
Ancelotti could get sacked by Real Madrid if they are knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal — which makes Wednesday’s clash one of the most significant in his illustrious career. For Mikel Arteta, his dilemma must be whether to take the game to Los Blancos like the Gunners did in the first leg or have a more conservative approach and prioritise safety-first at the Santiago Bernabeu.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, while Carlo Ancelotti would be demanding Real Madrid to waste no time and try their best to put Arsenal under pressure, a difficult job on his hands is coming up with a plan to keep Bukayo Saka quiet.
Considering Saka starred against Real Madrid as he toyed with David Alaba, Ancelotti must be wondering whether to stick with the Austrian at left-back or back Fran Garcia to tame the Arsenal winger.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka could destroy Real Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti plans Fran Garcia start
have reported that Carlo Ancelotti could start Fran Garcia against Arsenal — a decision that could cost Real Madrid against Arsenal as Bukayo Saka could well and truly rip him to shreds.
Garcia has failed to establish his status as Real Madrid’s first-choice left-back under Ancelotti this season, potentially due to his defensive deficiencies and in Saka, Arsenal have a wideman who could brutally expose his weaknesses.
The Spaniard’s seeming lack of concentration is one of his primary weaknesses, as was evidenced last season when he played a back pass to Borja Majoral and gifted Getafe the opening goal in Los Merengues’ eventual 2-1 win.
Saka is a special player and one of the best wingers in the world and up against him, Garcia cannot afford to make such costly errors — especially considering that Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid side are trailing 3-0 to Arsenal after the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
Secondly, the former Rayo Vallecano full-back lacks the experience of playing such high-stakes European games unlike the injured Ferland Mendy while the Gunners superstar has been involved in plenty of do-or-die games for both his boyhood club and England.
Saka dominated Alaba in the first leg, who has won the Champions League thrice now and with Garcia’s tendency not to get touch-tight to opponents as well, the 23-year-old could wreak havoc — as he did at the Emirates Stadium by fizzing pinpoint passes into Real Madrid’s box.
Carlo Ancelotti’s hands are tied and he will have to hope that the 25-year-old has the game of his life because the England international could singlehandedly ruin his side’s chances of going through to the semi-finals of the competition.
What Carlo Ancelotti has told Real Madrid players ahead of Arsenal clash
Carlo Ancelotti’s instructions to Real Madrid against Arsenal ahead of the second leg were revealed in a meeting he had with his players in training.
The Italian manager is believed to have raised his voice, demanding extra commitment on Wednesday to avoid a repeat of the first leg.
But Carlo Ancelotti might be even more frustrated at the end of the second leg than he currently seems if Saka plays against Garcia as he may have handed Arsenal a huge advantage against Real Madrid.
Arsenal are the favourites against Real Madrid and Mikel Arteta will be hoping that even if his star man has an off day, the likes of Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly can step up again.