Arsenal will take on Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after being drawn against Los Blancos for the first time since 2006. Both teams have changed dramatically over the following nearly two decades but meet this time a stage beyond where they previously were tied together.
The Gunners know that they will be significant underdogs for the tie, especially with how the squad has been hit by injuries this season. Mikel Arteta has plenty of time to prepare for the match as there is currently an international break.
Arsenal also do not play on the first weekend back after the break either and will wait until April 1 to face Fulham in a midweek clash. However, there is a chance for more than just Arteta to get the inside scoop on his opponents.
The international break itself has thrown up an exciting possibility for a select few of the Arsenal squad. A number of Gunners players will be joining up with fellow Real Madrid players for their countries; seven, in fact.
William Saliba will be training against Kylian Mbappe, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. Gabriel Magalhaes meanwhile will be facing up against Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.
The Arsenal centre-half pair will get a close-up of the attacking potential that will be on offer in just a few weeks’ time. Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly will be up against Jude Bellingham too, while Mikel Merino will be looking to battle young Spanish defender Raul Asencio, with David Raya keeping any set-piece chances for the first-time La Roja call-up out.
Leandro Trossard will test his mettle against Madrid's keeper Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian will be expected to start between the sticks for Los Blancos, although, with the potential return of Bukayo Saka, it remains to be seen whether Trossard will feature from the start.
Arteta is working with several of those not involved with their national sides for a variety of reasons in these weeks as well. While his words before Chelsea would indicate that he is focused on Fulham and Everton before the visit of the European giants, it would be a fair bet that Real Madrid is taking up plenty of his thinking.
"Well a fascinating draw," he said. "I think you're going to play against a club with the biggest and more history in the competition and I'm very excited to play against them but before that, we have two big matches in the Premier League."
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