Arsenal vs Real Madrid combined XI ahead of Champions League clas

Arsenal and Real Madrid have faced each other several times in the Champions League in Europe with the Gunners being one of the tough nuts to crack for Los Blancos. Every time Los Blancos have boasted the strongest XI but have failed to register a thumping win in the knockouts. On the other hand, Arsenal have always been able to get past their opposition with ease including the 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals 2025. 

Over the years, the clubs have seen multiple megastars donning their jersey. In this article, we shall look at the Real Madrid and Arsenal XI from the current crop of players ahead of the crucial second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals second leg: 

GK: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

The wall of Real Madrid's defense, without whom the score would have looked different at the Emirates over the midweek. He stood as Madrid’s saving grace with his supernatural reflexes and always stood strong in front of the sticks. His best game came against Liverpool in Paris where he produced a fine masterclass with nine saves. While Raya is of a superior quality, Courtois is a different beast altogether. 

RB: Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)

After that ACL nightmare crushed his debut season, Timber's comeback has been nothing short of heroic. The Dutchman glides across the turf with ballet-like precision while possessing a street fighter's defensive instinct. His versatility makes him Arteta's Swiss Army knife – equally comfortable inverting into midfield or overlapping with blistering pace. Madrid's makeshift solution with Valverde can't compare to Timber's natural defensive intelligence and passing range.

CB: William Saliba (Arsenal) 

The French colossus makes defending look offensively easy. Opponents bounce off him like they've hit concrete, yet he moves with the grace of a midfielder. His 93% pass completion rate this season is absurd for a center-back. Saliba reads the game ten steps ahead, rarely needing to make dramatic interventions because he's already snuffed out the danger. Remember how Henry called him "the best defender in the league" at 22? Prophetic.

CB: Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) 

Football's most intimidating defender brings controlled chaos to everything he does. His manic energy, bulging eyes, and warrior spirit embody Madrid's never-say-die mentality. Rüdiger's recovery pace has saved Ancelotti's men countless times, while his aerial dominance (winning 71% of duels) terrifies attackers. The German has mastered the dark arts of defending – equal parts elegant and terrifying. His thunderous free-kick against Man City proved he's more than just muscle.

LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal) 

The teenager plays with the swagger of someone who's seen it all. His fearless dribbling from deep (completing 2.7 per game) gives Arsenal another offensive dimension. Against Everton, that Cruyff turn near his box was pure audacity. Yes, he's raw defensively, but his recovery pace and footballing intelligence compensate. Academy coaches say they've never seen a youngster adapt so quickly to the senior game. Remember the name – he'll be England's left-back before long.

CM: Luka Modric (Real Madrid) 

Football's Benjamin Button continues defying time's cruel march. That outside-of-the-boot pass remains the sport's most beautiful signature move. His footballing brain compensates for aging legs, always three chess moves ahead of opponents. The Croatian maestro sees passing lanes invisible to mortal eyes. Watching Modric is watching football history in real-time.

CM: Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) 

From Madrid's castoff to Arsenal's heartbeat, the Norwegian conductor orchestrates attacks with disguised passes that split defenses like hot knives through butter. His set-piece delivery has become lethal, while his pressing triggers Arsenal's hunting pack mentality. The captain leads by example, covering more ground (12.3km per match) than anyone in Arsenal's squad. Madrid's loss became Arsenal's salvation – the playmaker they've craved since Cesc departed.

CAM: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) 

The wonderful and talented English footballer had his jersey number retired at Birmingham when he left for Dortmund. While people made fun of it, Bellingham stuck to mastering his craft. After he rocked in Germany, he moved to Spain in a big money move while surprising the fans with his shots and tackles. Frighteningly, at just 21, we're only seeing the early chapters of what will surely be football's next great novel.

RW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) 

The homegrown hero of the Emirates outfit, Bukayo Saka has been the mainstay of the Gunners over the last few years. When the player was not available, Arsenal slipped out of the title race and that's how influential he is. People are calling out to insure his left foot for millions as it has carved and cut open several defenses with surgical precision. The Hale End prodigy embodies everything beautiful about Arsenal's renaissance under Arteta.

LW: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) 

The Brazilian flair is still alive with this player but it comes with ruthless efficiency. Vinicius Jr has terrified defenders with his pace and dribbling while averaging close to 4 successful take-ons per match. From an erratic youngster, he has become the cold-blooded finisher, who is carrying the Real Madrid legacy on his shoulders.

CF: Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) 

Real Madrid chased the Frenchman like anything else over the past few years only for him to sign a new contract, earlier. However, Perez’s white whale joined on a free transfer at the start of the ongoing season. He has already scored 22 goals but was kept in the quarterfinal fixture despite the absence of Gabriel. With his goal-scoring abilities and pace, he will be one player whom Arsenal will be vary of in the second leg of the quarterfinals.