UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KNOCKOUT STAGE

Real Madrid v/s Arsenal                 Venue: Santiago Bernabeu

What a mouth watering fixture this is going to be as the 9 time European champions entertain the Gunners at the Bernabeu. When the draw was announced in December both teams weren’t doing so well in their Domestic leagues. Arsenal have had a purple patch in recent weeks as they were knocked out of the FA Cup and the Carling Cup within the space of 4 days. But on their day Arsenal could be a lethal force. Real Midfielder David Beckham, who has played against Arsenal many times stated that, “They are a good team with a good set of players, and we would hope that their purple patch doesn’t end against us”. Apart from their 6 – 1 humiliation against Real Zaragoza in the Copa Del Rey Real Madrid haven’t lost a match in 2006. Madrid haven't conceded in their last 3 home games in the La Liga. 

For Arsenal, well this has been one of the worst seasons for them and they are currently in 5^th position outside a Champions league position. They have had a dismal away record. Just 6 wins from their past 11 games is not a good record. Since it is an away tie the Gunners would definitely be on the defensive side and they would play just for the away goal. The Champions League is Arsenal’s only chance of Silverware and they have never gone past the Quarter final stage in this competition. Arsenal have had 3 defeats and a draw in their last five games with just one win against BirminghamCity.

Team News:

Real Madrid

The return of Raul will boost Real’s confidence but it is most unlikely that he gets a start. Jonathan Woodgate would partner along side Sergio Ramos as Ivan Helguera is unavailable. Zinedine Zidane will be back after missing out the game against Alaves. Otherwise the midfield of Guti and Beckham and will be unchanged. Thomas Gravesen will sit back and play the role of a Defensive Midfielder. Up front Robinho has been in scintillating form off late and he is a sure shot starter. Ronaldo will also be given a start despite the fact that he wants to leave the club next season. He said that the fans never really liked him and he is still unsettled at the club. Will the abuse from the fans on Ronaldo affect the rest of the side?

Predicted 11

Casillias

Cicinho

Woodgate

Roberto Carlos

Sergio Ramos

Gravesen

Zidane

Beckham

Guti

Robinho

Ronaldo

Arsenal

Well Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as had a torrid time with injuries as his leading defenders Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Lauren are injured and unavailable for this game. So he would have to settle for the inexperienced combination of Senderos and Eboue. Kolo Toure would return to the side and Flamini would play as left back. Arsenal’s mid field will have to play a major part if Arsenal were to get anything out of this game. Pires and Ljungberg haven’t been at their best of form and what a time this would be to break their goal scoring draught. Gilberto will play the anchoring role in the midfield providing more support for the defenders. Cesc Fabregas will the man who provides the passes to the attack. The return of Jose Reyes will boost to Arsenal’s Confidence as Emmanuel Adebayor is cup tied. Captain Thierry Henry will lead from up front.

Predicted 11

Lehmann

Eboue

Toure

Senderos

Flamini

Pires

Ljungberg

Gilberto

Fabregas

Henry

Reyes

Though Arsenal haven’t been in the best of form domestically, they had a pretty good run in the Champions league winning 5 out of their 6 qualification matches and topping the table with 16 pts. Henry would have to give a superb performance if Arsenal would need to get anything out of this match. For Real Madrid, they shouldn’t get complacent and take Arsenal too lightly. They would just have to play their natural attack minded game and they would get the victory.

Can Arsenal get anything out of this game?

Things are not looking good for Arsenal, their recent form and injuries clearly give Madrid the upper hand. They would want to keep as much of the ball so that their inexperienced defence isn’t exploited and also they wouldn’t want to give Madrid most of the possession. Arsenal should be happy if they manage to score the all important away goal and take the tie to its climax at Highbury.