As Arsenal welcome Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium coach Mikel Arteta is hoping on come-backing Bukayo Saka to deliver.
Saka suffered a three-month injury lay off, but he is back enjoying top form, scoring against Fulham last weekend and impressing in Saturday’s draw at Everton.
“He’s in a much better place. Obviously, we have built that up,” Arteta 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.
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.
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