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Arsenal travel to Real Madrid for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night and as they look to protect their three-goal advantage, some players must be involved from the off.
The Gunners will be coming up against a Madrid side that will be desperate to mount a comeback that will keep their hopes of retaining Europe's top prize alive. Going into the tie with a 3-0 aggregate lead, Mikel Arteta's side simply can not allow that to happen.
Injuries have struck Arsenal this season but they are fortunately able to continue playing a strong XI. Arteta opted to rest key players in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Brentford, allowing them to rest up ahead of a huge second leg. The Spaniard will obviously field the strongest side possible at the Santiago Bernabeu but in case there was any doubt, there are four players who must start in order to help Arsenal eliminate Real Madrid.
4 non-negotiable starters for Arsenal to eliminate Real Madrid
1. Declan Rice
Declan Rice was Arsenal's hero in the first leg at Emirates Stadium, firing in two brilliant free kicks to help his side to victory. While he may not be able to replicate that valiant effort this time round, he will no doubt still have a big impact.
Real Madrid will be wanting to control every aspect of the game and with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde aiming to bounce back from their poor performances in North London, they will look to play their part in the midfield. Rice will be required for the Gunners to not be dominated in the middle of the park and the way he can brilliantly control the game will be much needed.
Not only will the England international's midfield abilities be needed, the impact he has in both attack and defence will also be desired. Rice has made a habit of being involved in Arsenal's attacking build-up, doing so expertly as shown by his goal contributions this season. He also manages to drop back and help out in defence when needed and also offers great protection in front of his backline. Every aspect of Rice's game will be required at the Bernabeu so he must start.
2. Bukayo Saka
If there's one man that Arsenal need to start at the Bernabeu, it's Bukayo Saka. The winger enjoyed his time against Madrid last week and he can do so again on Wednesday.
With Los Blancos looking to overturn a three-goal deficit, the Gunners are likely to be pinned back in their own half for much of the game. They mustn't take a defensive approach however and in order to prevent doing so, they need to have their star man out on the right wing.
Saka is capable of fooling defenders with his trickery and his ability to cut inside to cross or shoot will be much needed. Arsenal may not have tons of joy at the Bernabeu but when they do, there must be the right man there to capitalise on it and their star winger is exactly that. He must be involved from the off against Madrid.
3. Mikel Merino
Arsenal will be going into yet another game without a natural striker and with this being arguably one of the biggest of the Mikel Arteta era, they must use the next best available option, Mikel Merino.
The Spaniard has done an outstanding job since becoming the Gunners' makeshift number nine, with his latest involvement coming in last week's first leg when he placed a fine effort into the corner from the edge of the box to make it 3-0.
Leandro Trossard hasn't cut it when starting up top and so that makes Merino the best option. Saka will be the main man for Arsenal in attack but they will need a big target man in the box and that has to be the EURO 2024 winner. Merino must start against Madrid and more specifically at striker.
4. Jurrien Timber
Arsenal's recent defensive choices of William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly are all likely to start against Madrid and Jurrien Timber must be the fourth addition to that list.
The Dutchman had plenty of joy coming up against Vinicius Jr in the first leg and with the Brazilian desperate to make an impact on Wednesday night, his defensive capabilities will be required once again.
Ben White is fit and available to play and while that does give Arteta another option at right back, Timber has to be the starting choice. The Gunners are likely to be under a lot of pressure in all areas and the Netherlands international will be a key factor in keeping the hosts from doing too much damage.