Arsenal vs Real Madrid combined lineup: How many Gunners make it?

Dread them, run from them, combined lineups arrive all the same.

There's so much not to like about social media football discourse, and perhaps no concept epitomises the often pointless and futile debates than the combined XI.

When did this phenomenon even emerge? It's got to be a modern thing, right? I can't imagine Des Lynam asking his Match of the Day pundits to craft a fantastical XI between two of the Premier League's elite sides.

Nowadays, we're subject to far too many opinions. Whenever a major fixture rolls around, combined XIs spawn relentlessly. Ahead of Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid, TNT Sports gave former Madridista Steve McManaman the chance to craft his utopian Gunners and Los Blancos XI.

Admittedly, I've seen far worse. Nevertheless, McManaman's attempt has suckered me in. Look at me. I was scathing of the concept two paragraphs ago, now I'm an indulger.

So, let's have it. Here's my attempt at an Arsenal x Real Madrid combined XI, utilising players that are available for the first leg at the Emirates.

Arsenal vs Real Madrid combined lineup

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Thibaut Courtois (GK) - The Belgian has had the odd injury issue this term and doesn't stand out statistically, but he's the best goalkeeper in the world for my money and will likely play a huge role in this tie. His presence is sorely missed when sidelined.

Jurrien Timber (RB) - Dani Carvajal had a remarkable 2023/24 but has missed much of the current campaign due to an ACL tear. Federico Valverde has also impressed at right-back in recent weeks, but Timber has been a model of consistency for the Gunners this term. He's a supreme one-on-one defender who's starting to evolve further up the pitch.

William Saliba (CB) - The Frenchman has arguably been outperformed by the stricken Gabriel this term, but it's close. Saliba tends to save his best work for the biggest occasions, and he'll relish the tussle with compatriot Kylian Mbappe here.

Antonio Rudiger (CB) - Madrid are far more vulnerable when Rudiger isn't in the team. Any structual weaknesses higher upfield are exacerbated in the German's absence, as they lack his impressive recovery speed and unrelenting desire to defend the Madrid box until death. He'll be a threat in the Gunners box, too.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - The teenager has been brilliant since stepping into the senior set-up, but he gets in here by default. Ferland Mendy and Riccardo Calafiori are both out injured, Fran Garcia is tidy but lightweight, and David Alaba hasn't played all that much this season. When he does play nowadays, he operates centrally. Although, we could see the Austrian line up against Bukayo Saka in north London.

Midfielders

Federico Valverde (CM) - Carlo Ancelotti described Valverde as one of the "top three" right-backs in the world, but the Uruguayan is still a supremely gifted midfielder. He'll don the Madrid armband against the Gunners and supply non-stop running in the middle of the park. Valverde's a refined machine in all phases and poses a threat from distance.

Declan Rice (CM) - After starting the season in a sluggish fashion, Rice has been brilliant during the second half of the campaign. I prefer him deeper, but he's shown that he can have a great effect on contests from a more advanced function since joining the club. He's a monstrous space-eater like Valverde, who also contributes plenty to Arsenal's suffocating press.

Jude Bellingham (AM) - The Englishman hasn't replicated his output from year one, but Martin Odegaard has been so disappointing this season that Bellingham comfortably gets in. His production may have declined, but the former Birmingham starlet always take responsibility and plays a decade beyond his years. A mentality monster.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - I love Rodrygo and do not think it was blasphemous for McManaman to include him over Saka in his combined XI. However, despite missing a chunk of 2024/25 due to a hamstring tear, the Arsenal star has racked up more domestic league and Champions League goal contributions than the Brazilian (22 to 18). While Rodrygo plays a unsung complementary role, Saka is Arsenal.

Kylian Mbappe (ST) - Not much competition here. After a relatively slow start, superstar Mbappe has hit top gear in the new year and is competing with Robert Lewandowski for the Pichichi Trophy. He's settled in without much fuss.

Vinicius Junior (LW) - 2024/25 has been considered a down year for Vini Jr, yet he's still notched 11 goals and five assists in La Liga, as well as nine Champions League goal contributions. Talk about a player who exudes electricity. Vini can turn it on in the blink of an eye and has so often produced in the clutch for Los Blancos. A true game-breaker.

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE!