Arsenal will play Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium in an exciting quarterfinal matchup in the UEFA Champions League’s eagerly awaited return on Tuesday, April 8.  Both sides are keen to get to the prized final, which Arsenal hasn’t played in since 2006.  Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, has placed all of its hopes on this coveted European competition despite a difficult Premier League campaign.  Real Madrid, meanwhile, is hungry for vengeance and is hoping to win their 15th European Cup.

During this year’s Champions League, Arsenal has shown itself to be a formidable home team.  The Gunners have won four of their previous five games at the Emirates and drawn one. They have played excellent defense, giving up only two goals while scoring eleven.  However, Arteta faces difficulties because a number of important players won’t be available for this important match.  The two most prominent absences are Gabriel Magalhães, a strong defender who is sidelined by injury, and Gabriel Jesus, an important member of the offense.  Other key players, such as Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, and Riccardo Calafiori, will also be absent from the game due to a variety of medical issues.

Real Madrid, who are aiming for victory, are also dealing with serious injuries. Carlo Ancelotti’s team, despite its historic success in the Champions League, will be affected by the absence of several key players, which will complicate the Italian coach’s tactical plan. The most notable absence is Éder Militão, a defensive mainstay, who will miss the game due to injury; other players missing are Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, and Andriy Lunin, leaving Ancelotti with few options. To make matters worse, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is a vital member of the team, will miss the game after being sent off with a yellow card in the previous match.

Arsenal and Real Madrid get ready for a monumental match that will decide whether team advances to the Champions League semi-finals, with the burden of absences weighing heavily on both sides.  The story is about to start; even though injuries make preparations more difficult, the caliber and tenacity of both teams might make this game a real football festival.  Supporters from all over the world are excited to see if the Gunners can take advantage of their home field advantage or if the seasoned Madrid team can overcome hardship and advance toward European success.  Only time will tell who will win this titanic conflict, but the stage is prepared.