The Surprising Advantage of Arsenal Over Real Madrid in the Champions League

Arsenal and Real Madrid will face each other again in the UEFA Champions League 19 years after their only encounter in the tournament. History gives a slight advantage to the 'gunners', who eliminated the 'merengues' in the round of 16 in the 2005/06 season. Unlike this season, the first leg was played at the Santiago Bernabéu, while the return leg took place at the old Highbury Park, which was demolished that same year.

The tie was resolved in favor of the English thanks to a 0-1 in Chamartín, with a display from former FC Barcelona player, Thierry Henry. The Frenchman scored the winning and qualifying goal in the 47th minute. The return leg was very close, with a couple of shots hitting the post from the white team, but a draw (0-0) that sent Arsene Wenger's team through. Arsenal would go on to defeat Juventus (quarter-finals) and Villarreal ('semis') to reach the final in Paris, where they fell to Frank Rijkaard's Barça (2-1). Madrid, on the other hand, completed the second of their six consecutive failures in the Champions League round of 16 that season.

⚽ Here’s how the quarter-final tie between Arsenal and Real Madrid will be played:

• First leg: Tuesday, April 8 at the Emirates Stadium in London (21:00 h).
• Return leg: Wednesday, April 16 at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid (21:00 h).

Arsenal and Real Madrid, with confirmed absences for their tie

Looking ahead to the quarter-final clash, the 'gunners' and 'merengues' have several important absences in their lineups. On one hand, Mikel Arteta's side will be without their top scorer, Kai Havertz, who is out for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury. The same goes for Gabriel Jesus, who suffered a torn cruciate ligament and will only return next season.

However, Bukayo Saka has a chance to return in time for the double clash against Madrid, having not played since December due to muscle issues. For the White House, Aurélien Tchouaméni will miss the first leg due to suspension, while Ferland Mendy (injured on Wednesday against Atleti) will be out for about a month due to a left thigh injury. The same applies to Dani Ceballos, who will not return until the end of April due to a left thigh issue.

For Arsenal, the other advantage relates to the schedule. The Londoners have already been eliminated from the FA Cup (in the third round by United) and the League Cup (in 'semis' against Newcastle), so they will only have to focus on a Premier League that seems already settled in favor of Liverpool (the 'reds' have a 15-point lead, with one game in hand and nine matches to play). Madrid, on the other hand, is still alive in the Copa del Rey, with good chances of advancing to the final after the 0-1 against Real Sociedad in Anoeta. The rematch against the Basques will be the first week of April, eight days before the visit to the Emirates Stadium.