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Arsenal vs. Real Madrid: A Champions League Rematch 19 Years in the Making
14/03/2025
By RSR Málaga - 14 March
Arsenal and Real Madrid Set for Quarterfinal Battle After Nearly Two Decades
For the first time in 19 years, Arsenal and Real Madrid will face off again in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, rekindling their only previous encounter in the competition.
In the 2005/06 season, the Gunners eliminated Los Blancos in the Round of 16, thanks to Thierry Henry’s stunning goal at the Santiago Bernabéu (0-1). The return leg at Highbury ended in a goalless draw, sending Arsenal through. That year, Arsène Wenger’s team made it all the way to the final in Paris, where they lost 2-1 to Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona. Meanwhile, Madrid suffered another early UCL exit, part of six consecutive round-of-16 eliminations at the time.
Quarterfinal Schedule: Arsenal vs. Real Madrid
First Leg: Tuesday, April 8 – Emirates Stadium, London (21:00 CET)
Second Leg: Wednesday, April 16 – Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid (21:00 CET)
Key Absences for Both Teams
Arsenal’s Missing Stars:
Kai Havertz (hamstring injury) – out for the season
Gabriel Jesus (ACL tear) – out for the season
Bukayo Saka (muscle injury) – could return in time for the tie
Real Madrid’s Key Absences:
Aurélien Tchouaméni (suspended for the first leg)
Ferland Mendy (muscle injury) – out for one month
Dani Ceballos (muscle injury) – expected back late April
Arsenal’s Advantage: A Lighter Schedule
Unlike Madrid, Arsenal has fewer competitions to focus on. Eliminated from both the FA Cup and EFL Cup, the Gunners can fully concentrate on the Champions League and a Premier League race that now favors Liverpool.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, remains active in multiple tournaments, including the Copa del Rey, where they hold a 0-1 lead over Real Sociedad in the semifinals. That return leg will take place just eight days before their Champions League trip to London.
Can Arsenal take advantage of their fresher squad, or will Madrid’s European pedigree shine through once again?
