The 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, Arsenal F.C. played Real Madrid in an exciting two-legged match that captured football fans all over the globe. In this blog, we will provide an overview of what we know about the Arsenal F.C. against Real Madrid lineups, key events, and tactical analysis from both sides of the contest. With an average scoring in the range of Arsenal 5-1 Real Madrid, the Gunners won the match, and we’ll explore how the lineups influenced final outcome of each game.

First Leg: Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (April 8, 2025)

The first game in the first leg at Emirates Stadium saw Arsenal gain control of the game from the start. The Arsenal F.C. against Real Madrid lineups played a important part as both teams had their most experienced teams.

Arsenal Starting XI (First Leg):

• Goalkeeper: David Raya

• Defenders: Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly

• Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard (captain)

• Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli

Real Madrid Starting XI (First Leg):

• Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

• Defenders: David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio

• Midfielders: Luka Modric (captain), Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham

• Forwards: Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior

Key Moments in the First Leg:

• Declan Rice’s free-kick mastery: Declan Rice scored two stunning free-kicks in the 58th as well as 70th minutes to lead Arsenal into a 3-1 advantage.

• Mikel Merino’s goal: Mikel Merino added a third goal in the 75th minute, increasing Arsenal’s lead while ensuring Real Madrid could not recover.

• Camavinga’s red Card: Eduardo Camavinga was dismissed for a second yellow card during the 89th minute. This reduced Real Madrid to 10 men for the rest of the game.

First Leg Final Score: Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid

Aggregate Score (After First Leg): Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid

Second Leg: Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal (April 16, 2025)

The second game in Santiago Bernabeu saw Real Madrid try to make a comeback but Arsenal’s tactical savvy and ability to counterattack proved too much for them to defeat.

Arsenal Starting XI (Second Leg):

• Goalkeeper: David Raya

• Defenders: Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber

• Midfielders: Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard

• Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli

Real Madrid Starting XI (Second Leg):

• Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

• Defenders: Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba

• Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham

• Forwards: Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe

Key Moments in the Second Leg:

• Bukayo Saka’s First Goal: Bukayo Saka scored in the 65th minute of the game, giving Arsenal a 4-0 aggregate advantage and effectively putting Madrid out of the possibility of an eventual comeback.

• Vinicius Junior’s equalizer: Vinicius Junior scored a goal to Real Madrid just two minutes later, in the 67th minutes, cutting the deficit down to 4-1 overall.

• Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal: Gabriel Martinelli scored Arsenal’s victory by scoring in the 90+3rd minutes, which confirmed a score of 5-1 aggregate.

Second Leg Final Score: Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal

Aggregate Score: Arsenal 5-1 Real Madrid

Tactical Breakdown: How the Lineups Played a Key Role

Arsenal’s Tactical Setup:

The Arsenal line-ups were balanced throughout both matches and included Declan Rice and Thomas Partey providing the stability in midfield that helped stop Real Madrid’s attack. In addition, the presence in the form of Martin Odegaard made for seamless transitions and a imaginative ball distribution. In the attacking phase, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli utilized their speed to create a devastating impact in the counter-attack.

Real Madrid’s Defensive Struggles:

Despite having strong defenders in David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid’s defense was snared by the swift changes Arsenal made. Thibaut Courtois could not keep the team alive in the game because Declan Rice’s incredible set-piece skills and the speed of Arsenal’s forwards were too to handle.

Arsenal F.C. Arsenal F.C. Real Madrid Lineups: A Comparative Analysis of the Major Players

Conclusion: Arsenal F.C. Wins with Tactical Brilliance

The aggregate score of 5-1 in the aggregate for Arsenal F.C. Arsenal F.C. Real Madrid Lineups proved the quality of their team along with Mikel Arteta’s tactical expertise. Arsenal’s quick counter-attacks and solid defense, and impressive performances by Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka as well as Gabriel Martinelli made the difference. The Arsenal F.C. against Real Madrid lineups were a crucial factor in this success, with Arteta’s method of neutralizing the offensive threats of Real Madrid.

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