Build-up to the Champions League quarter-final first-leg between Arsenal and Real Madrid (20:00 BST)
Team news: Arteta 'hopeful' Jurrien Timber is fit enough to play and Bukayo Saka is 'in a good position' after returning from injury | Courtois back 'fully fit'
Player comparison: Arsenal v Real Madrid XI - GK, RB, CB, CB, LB, DM, CM, AM, RW, ST, LW
Arteta - 'It's been 20 years since have had this type of game so it's a great opportunity'
Ancelotti - 'We have won 15 champions league but that doesn't really change anything'
Balague - 'Saka is still not at the level of the likes of Mbappe and Vini Jr'
Comment - 'Madrid have a weakness that Arsenal can exploit' | Real Madrid are not in good form
Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
"It's a battle of minds."
Arsenal v Real Madrid (20:00 BST)
Champions League stats per 90:
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Ferland Mendy
Thumbs up for Lewis-Skelly, thumbs down for Mendy.
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal v Real Madrid (20:00 BST)
Champions League stats per 90.
Ben White
Federico Valverde
Thumbs up for White, thumbs down for Valverde.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe're already heading for a 50/50 split on the goalkeepers. I never thought we'd get tension like this straight off the bat.
Watching those thumbs move is just absolute cinema.
Right, onto the defenders.
Arsenal v Real Madrid (20:00 BST)
Champions League stats per 90:
David Raya
Thibaut Courtois
Thumbs up for Raya, thumbs down for Courtois.
Image source, Getty ImagesRight then, time for the good stuff.
Not that everything else hasn't been good today - obviously...
HOWEVER - I want everyone on this page involved for the last hour.
We're having our own Arsenal v Real Madrid showdown on this page - going through each squad one to eleven and letting you, the audience, pick your combined XI.
Thumbs up / thumbs down to make your pick - you know the drill.
I don't care which button you press but if you're on this page, I want you pressing one.
Ready? Let's go.
If you are just joining us, we have been looking ahead to the Champions League clash this evening between Arsenal and Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium and which players will make up the squads for both teams:
Stick with us as we continue to look ahead to Arsenal's hopes against a dominate Real Madrid side as well head-to-head player comparisons for you to have your say on.
Arsenal fans, how are you feeling about tonight? Confident? Get in touch:
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Re Balague comments at 14.13, while I do think Vini Jr is a better player than Saka, to say Saka's 2 or 3 steps away is disrespectful. Saka's stats are comparable with Vini Jr and Yamal when you look at the games missed. By including Pedri in his comment really highlights his bias towards La Liga, four goals, four assists in 29 matches is a poor return.
Kieran in Kent.
Arsenal v Real Madrid (20:00 GMT)
Real Madrid
Here is a look at Real Madrid's six most recent results ahead of facing Arsenal.
Arsenal v Real Madrid (20:00 GMT)
Image source, Getty ImagesHeading into tonight's quarter-final first leg, here is a look at Arsenal's six most recent results.
Arsenal v Real madrid (Tue, 20:00 BST)
Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on the Football News Show
They [Arsenal] need to believe that there is an opportunity, if they concede in the 89th minute and it's 1-1 they can't collapse. They need to remember that there is a second game. They need to even attack if possible but do it with organisation.
"It's a battle of minds, and even though Real Madrid are certainly more experienced Arsenal have that other thing, a plan, which can stop Real Madrid. If you look at Arsenal everybody is thinking the same way, which is a massive success from Mikel Arteta."
Arsenal v Real Madrid (Tue, 20:00 BST)
David Seaman
Former Arsenal and England goalkeeper
On Mikel Arteta: "The title race is nearly over so his thinking will shift. He put out a strong team against Everton but we should see Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli come back in tonight. You can tell that his focus is on tonight’s game over anything else."
On Real Madrid’s attack: "The attacking threat of Real Madrid is phenomenal so Arsenal know they have to be at their best. Real Madrid’s defence does give you chances but you have to accept that they will score and it’s a bonus if they don’t. Missing Gabriel [Magalhães] is going to be a problem because he is one of Arsenal’s strongest players in set pieces.
"The fans will be amazing. When this team plays at their best, they can win this!"
Arsenal v Real Madrid (Tue, 20:00 BST)
Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on the Football News Show
Image source, Getty ImagesReal Madrid are not in good form. They lost against Valencia, they have conceded 13 in the last six games. They are also not a team that seem to be scoring their chances with Vinicius having scored three goals in the last sixteen games and Rodrygo hasn't scored a goal in two months. It's been Mbappe who is saving them at the moment.
But if you focus on what's happening in the Champions League, those same three Rodrygo, Vinicius and Mbappe have scored 68 per cent of the goals for Real Madrid. Of course, when the Champions League arrives they are a different team but with an objective view they don't defend very well, neither set pieces or any general attack.
Arsenal v Real Madrid (Tue, 20:00 BST)
Michael Brown
Former Tottenham midfielder on The Monday Night Club
On if he believes in Real Madrid's aura: "Yeah I do. All day long. I think for Arsenal players coming against it, they realise that it's there and then psychologically it's not going to go away.
"I think it's taken some clubs a long time to get level on it but Real Madrid are that team that most players would want to sign for, that's a given and I think it's only City recently who have gotten on par with it. But for some time until they beat them at the Etihad convincingly they had that problem, and I do think Arsenal will have that problem too."
Arsenal v Real Madrid (Tue, 20:00 BST)
Rory Smith
Chief Soccer Correspondent for The Athletic on The Monday Night Club
Image source, Getty ImagesIf you speak to people who watch a lot more Real Madrid than I do, they will say that there is plenty of expression in that team, certainly in Vini Jr, Mbappe and Bellingham - maybe a little bit too much at times to be honest. Maybe they should be a bit more micromanaged.
They don't have to have a perfect system to win games. They have four or five match winners who can turn a game in an instant.
Arsenal v Real Madrid (Tue, 20:00 BST)
Chris Sutton
Former Celtic striker on The Monday Night Club
[Mikel Arteta] has given up on the Premier League over the weekend with that weakened team [against Everton] and is clearly prioritising the Champions League.
[Bukayo] Saka has been out for a long time but it's all or nothing with the Champions League and I mean it's not going to be a risk, he has been building for this and with Saka getting his goal off of the bench at the weekend, let's hope that he is fit and flying.
Arsenal v Real Madrid (Tue, 20:00 BST)
Rory Smith
Chief Soccer Correspondent for The Athletic on The Monday Night Club
They [Gabriel and William Saliba] are players who bring the best out of each other, and you lose something more than just an individual player.
That said, and I don't want to suggest Beto is not directly as good as Kylian Mbappe but I thought Jakub Kiwior did really well against Everton. He looked pretty solid and didn't put a foot wrong so he's clearly an able deputy but he's not Gabriel and that is a blow for them.
Arsenal v Real Madrid (Tue, 20:00 BST)
Michael Brown
Former Tottenham midfielder on The Monday Night Club
Image source, Getty ImagesI think he [Mikel Arteta] has the knowledge, the know-how and the tactics to go against the top [opposition] and that's what he's looking forward to. I think this is the pinnacle of where he's taken the football club so far. It's what Arsenal fans have been waiting so long for.
At the start of the season, I fancied them to go the distance in the Champions League, to be honest, but now with those players missing [Gabriel, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus] I think that's the only problem they have.
Arsenal v Real Madrid (Tue, 20:00 BST)
Rory Smith
Chief Soccer Correspondent for The Athletic on The Monday Night Club
It's a huge night at the Emirates, the air will be crackling, one of those European occasions and Real Madrid have been in a kind of funny form.
Not sure how they squeezed past Atletico, to be honest. They conceded four to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey, they were beaten by a Valencia team that are battling relegation even though Carlos Corberan has turned them around to a large extent. Their form is patchy which normally means for Real Madrid that they win the Champions League but there is a weakness there that Arsenal are more than good enough to exploit.
Arsenal v Real Madrid (Tue, 20:00 BST)
Chris Sutton
Former Celtic striker on The Monday Night Club
Gabriel is an enormous loss. He has been outstanding with William Saliba for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.
You don't know quite what you're going to get from Real Madrid. They went strong at the weekend with their team selection and ended up losing [to Valencia 2-1]. So I do think Arsenal have a chance but I do worry about them defensively without Gabriel.
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal v Real Madrid (Tue, 20:00 BST)
David Seaman
Former Arsenal and England goalkeeper
On speaking with David Raya: "When I spoke to David he said that he would rather win the Champions League over the Premier League because this team wants to make history for the club."
On Bukayo Saka: "He is undoubtedly one of our key players and he had a huge impact when he came back from injury. He has come on as sub the last few games to ensure he has fully recovered but he has to start tonight to have an influence on the game. His rehab has been handled really well and he looks fresh and ready to go."
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 21 |
| |
| 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 13 | 15 | 19 |
| |
| 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 3 | 13 | 19 |
| |
| 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 19 |
| |
| 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 18 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 16 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 16 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 16 |
| |
| 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 6 | 14 | 15 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 15 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 15 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 15 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 11 | 3 | 15 |
| |
14 PSV | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 14 |
|
| 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 13 |
| |
16 Benfica | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 13 |
|
| 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| |
18 Brest | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 11 | -1 | 13 |
|
19 Feyenoord | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 21 | -3 | 13 |
|
| 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 12 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 14 | -1 | 12 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 11 |
| |
23 Sporting CP | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 11 |
|
24 Club Brugge | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 11 |
|
25 Dinamo Zagreb | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 19 | -7 | 11 |
|
26 Stuttgart | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 17 | -4 | 10 |
|
27 Shakhtar Donetsk | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 16 | -8 | 7 |
|
28 Bologna | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 6 |
|
29 Red Star Belgrade | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 22 | -9 | 6 |
|
30 Sturm Graz | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 14 | -9 | 6 |
|
31 Sparta Prague | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 21 | -14 | 4 |
|
| 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 15 | -7 | 3 |
| |
33 Girona | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 13 | -8 | 3 |
|
34 Red Bull Salzburg | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 27 | -22 | 3 |
|
35 Slovan Bratislava | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 27 | -20 | 0 |
|
36 Young Boys | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 24 | -21 | 0 |
|
