How can last weeks fabulous 3-0 victory be topped? Two absolutely stunning Declan Rice free-kicks, and a top class finish from Mikel Merino gives us a very healthy lead.
Ben White is available and in the squad, but Jorginho misses out. The scare over Thomas Partey has been brushed off by Mikel Arteta, so it should be the same XI as last week. However, it wouldn't surprise me if Arteta went with the older head in Trossard over Martinelli even though I think the Brazilian will cause Madrid more problems.
Madrid will have Tchouameni back after suspension, but his fellow countryman Camavinga picked up a one match ban - twice in fact after his 3rd yellow of the tournament and then a red card in injury time.
Both teams rotated quite heavily for their respective weekend matches, while Mbappe got an unexpected rest with a red card for a terrible tackle. Vinicius jr and Bellingham played half hour each while Modric and Alaba got the weekend off.
The game situation actually suits both teams styles. Madrid will fancy their chances of scoring with all out attack, but have defensive weaknesses prime for exposing again. Arsenal won't have to change their more pragmatic style, and will press the Madrid defence at all opportunities.
Some are saying we need to get through the first 20, but goals tend to come in clusters. We saw Villa last night score twice in 3 minutes to turn the game on its head and give them a massive chance. If Madrid do score it is important we quickly kill any momentum shift and bounce that would give them - whether it is the 7th or 70th minute.
I am pretty confident we will get chances, it is vital we take any opportunity to increase the lead. The atmosphere will be ferocious, the Madrid players will be up for it. Just hope the ref has a good game and none of our players do something silly to put us at a numerical disadvantage.
Real Madrid (a)
posted 2 weeks, 5 days ago
Pray for Peks - and strikes bank account.
posted 2 weeks, 5 days ago
Hey Peks, your prediction?
posted 2 weeks, 5 days ago
At least they scored this time.. baby steps
posted 2 weeks, 5 days ago
comment by Phenom (U20037)
posted 5 hours, 53 minutes ago
think you'll win 2-1
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Well done
posted 2 weeks, 5 days ago
comment by Passion Power - Make 1984 fiction again(U8398) (U8398)
posted 14 minutes ago
Hey Peks, your prediction?
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i was wrong about that, but right about everything else
🐺
posted 2 weeks, 5 days ago
comment by Peks - Dire Wolf De-Extinction 🐺 (U6618)
posted 20 seconds ago
comment by Passion Power - Make 1984 fiction again(U8398) (U8398)
posted 14 minutes ago
Hey Peks, your prediction?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
i was wrong about that, but right about everything else
🐺
----------------------------------------------------------------------
what was the everything else?
posted 2 weeks, 5 days ago
Ceballos being back
posted 2 weeks, 5 days ago
comment by Passion Power - Make 1984 fiction again(U8398) (U8398)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Peks - Dire Wolf De-Extinction 🐺 (U6618)
posted 20 seconds ago
comment by Passion Power - Make 1984 fiction again(U8398) (U8398)
posted 14 minutes ago
Hey Peks, your prediction?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
i was wrong about that, but right about everything else
🐺
----------------------------------------------------------------------
what was the everything else?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
everything else i've ever said 🎾
posted 2 weeks, 5 days ago
comment by Peks - Dire Wolf De-Extinction 🐺 (U6618)
posted 27 minutes ago
comment by Passion Power - Make 1984 fiction again(U8398) (U8398)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Peks - Dire Wolf De-Extinction 🐺 (U6618)
posted 20 seconds ago
comment by Passion Power - Make 1984 fiction again(U8398) (U8398)
posted 14 minutes ago
Hey Peks, your prediction?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
i was wrong about that, but right about everything else
🐺
----------------------------------------------------------------------
what was the everything else?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
everything else i've ever said 🎾
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remind me
posted 2 weeks, 4 days ago
comment by Kyzr (U10805)
posted 12 hours, 26 minutes ago
comment by Phenom (U20037)
posted 5 hours, 53 minutes ago
think you'll win 2-1
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Well done
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welcome