Arteta Places Faith in Saka to Shift Momentum in Thrilling Real Madrid Encounter
Mikel Arteta believes Bukayo Saka can tilt the balance of power in Arsenal’s favour in Tuesday’s “beautiful” Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid.
Saka is in contention to feature against Real in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium after making two substitute appearances since returning from three months on the sidelines.
The 23-year-old hasn’t appeared in Arsenal’s starting line-up since December 21 at Crystal Palace.
But Saka showed he has shaken off the rust by scoring in his first game back against Fulham last week and impressing in Saturday’s draw at Everton.
Gunners boss Arteta is confident the England forward, who needed surgery on a hamstring injury, can play a decisive role as Arsenal look to eliminate holders Real.
“He’s in a much better place. We have built that up,” he said.
“He played 30 minutes against Fulham, and he’s played 49 against Everton, and after that, he will be in a much better place.”
The Champions League is Arteta’s last chance to end his five-year trophy drought this season as Arsenal bid to win the tournament for the first time.
Beaten by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals last season, Arsenal’s only Champions League final appearance ended in defeat against Barcelona in 2006.
Having finished as Premier League runners-up in 2023 and 2024, the Gunners are almost certain to fall short in the title race again.
Runaway leaders Liverpool are 11 points clear of second-placed Arsenal after Arteta’s men were held by Everton at the weekend.
With that in mind, Arteta made five changes against Everton to keep his stars fresh for the European showdown with Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
Arteta is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against Ancelotti’s 15-time European champions.
“One of the most beautiful games that you can play in football, in the highest European competition, against the team that has dominated that competition in the last 20, 25 years. So, yeah, really looking forward to it,” he said. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Aston Villa are set to clash in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Parc des Princes this Wednesday evening. This match marks a significant moment for both teams, as it’s the first time they’ll meet in any European competition. The winner will advance to face either Real Madrid or Arsenal in the semi-finals.
PSG has had a remarkable journey in this year’s tournament, despite a rare home defeat earlier in the season. They battled through a tense last-16 round against Liverpool, ultimately winning 4-1 on penalties after equalizing in the second leg at Anfield. Their goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, made some crucial saves during the shootout, showcasing PSG’s resilience.
Luis Enrique leads a youthful squad that boasts the youngest average starting XI remaining in the competition. After a shaky start in the league phase, they managed to turn things around dramatically, hammering Brest with an impressive 10-0 aggregate score in the playoffs. They followed that up by defeating Liverpool over two legs, proving their credentials on the European stage. Remarkably, PSG’s only loss in their last 29 games came in the first leg against Liverpool. Recently, they clinched another Ligue 1 title after beating Angers, keeping their hopes alive for an unbeaten season.
As they aim for further glory, PSG is also looking to defend its Coupe de France title next month against Reims. However, their eyes are firmly set on the Champions League trophy, a prize that has eluded them in the past. Last year, they were knocked out by Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals, and in 2020, Bayern Munich denied them in the final.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, enters this competition with plenty of momentum. They’ve become a strong contender under their manager, who has already brought them back into European competition for the first time in decades. Earlier in the tournament, they made headlines by defeating Bayern Munich at Villa Park and progressed through the knockout stages with a commanding 6-1 aggregate win over Club Brugge. With recent signings like Marcus Rashford and PSG’s Marco Asensio bolstering their squad, Aston Villa has found its form again, winning seven consecutive matches across all competitions.
Both teams are hungry for success, with Villa not only looking to advance in the Champions League but also aiming for a major domestic trophy, as they have an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon. The pressure is on as both sides strive to take a step closer to their dreams this Wednesday.
