Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Real Madrid - Champions League

Arsenal evoked the spirit of '06 last Tuesday as Real Madrid succumbed to a second-half Gunners barrage, but Mikel Arteta is well aware that the job is not yet complete.

Arsenal were brilliant in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, and their 3-0 lead means Madrid require a mini-miracle on home soil to advance into the last four. I'm sure you've learned by now that it's been a very long time since Arteta's men last conceded three goals in a single game.

Nevertheless, suffering is projected in the Spanish capital for a fixture which certainly hasn't been bereft of hype out in Spain. The media are talking up the prospect of a Madrid comeback, but this Arsenal team proved last week that they're a far more complete team than the supreme individuals at Carlo Ancelotti's disposal.

Here's how Arsenal could line up for Wednesday's second leg.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Real Madrid (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - Raya has his work cut out if he's to retain his Golden Glove, but he's been in majestic form in Europe this season and was a calming presence in the first leg. The Spaniard has a massive role to play here.

Jurrien Timber (RB) - Ben White is fit and has travelled to Madrid, but Timber will start in Madrid and once again see plenty of Vinicius Junior.

William Saliba (CB) - Saliba's played a lot of football this season, and there's been little room for respire in recent weeks. He won't be fazed by the Bernabeu cauldron.

Jakub Kiwior (CB) - Impressive since coming in for Gabriel, Kiwior has to take his game to another level on Wednesday. It's going to be a different sort of test for the Pole.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - The Hale End star was majestic in the first leg, and he got a bit of a rest at the weekend. I can't wait to see him strut his stuff at one of the world's grandest footballing amphitheatres.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (DM) - Arteta confirmed that Partey was forced off against Brentford with a "niggle", but the midfielder trained on Tuesday and was on the plane to Spain. He'll start at the base of midfield.

Declan Rice (CM) - Last week's hero is a shoo-in for the second leg after Arteta opted to retain him in his starting XI at the weekend. Madrid will express a little more caution when attempting to make a tackle in Rice's free-kick range.

Martin Odegaard (CM) - Odegaard may have played a mere supporting role in the first leg amid a downturn year, but the skipper will return to the team in Madrid and aim to inspire the Gunners at his old stomping ground.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - Influential in the first leg, Saka will be back in Arsenal's frontlime after appearing off the bench on Saturday. There's still a sense that the winger is being eased in after returning to the fold post-international break.

Mikel Merino (ST) - We really couldn't have asked for much more from Merino since Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both succumbed to long-term injuries. Six in ten as Arsenal's leading man, the Spaniard returns to a familiar environment on Wednesday.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - Martinelli is one of the keys for Arsenal in Madrid. The Brazilian's speed on the breakaway has the potential to hurt the hosts, who are expected to have more of the game than they did in north London.

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