Party time at the Santiago Bernabeu

The Real Madrid fans are really up for this one tonight.

It doesn't even seem to factor with them that they are three goals behind in this quarter-final.

As we edge towards kick-off, this is going to be a cauldron of noise where you cannot hear yourself think.

Mikel insists players, not tactics, will win it

Real Madrid have made intriguing tactical changes tonight.

Federico Valverde is moving from right-back to his more natural midfield.

And Lucas Vazquez is coming into defence, while Aurelien Tchouameni replaces Luca Modric as Real Madrid playmaker.

But Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes tactics won't be as important as individual performances.

He told TNT Sports: "Within the formation and the approach they have... at the end, the players make the difference - we will understand what they want to do first."

Not all about the start...

Mikel Arteta is promising to fight fire with fire from the start tonight.

But he warned the tie won't be over even if Arsenal fend Real off for the first 15 minutes.

The Spaniard told TNT Sports: "It is always very important to start with a positive vibe and a good feeling.

"We will try to do that, but it's going to be a long game so it's not only about the start.

"At this level every action matters. Every action changes momentum."

Arteta tells Gunners to 'embrace' huge challenge

Mikel Arteta believes the Gunners are in the zone.

The Arsenal boss told TNT Sports of his players' attitude: "Very focused and very determined.

"We know the challenge and the opportunity ahead. Go and embrace it!"

'Gunners have got this one in the bag'

Ex-Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant believes Real Madrid can make it "tight" tonight - but won't overturn the Gunners' 3-0 first-leg lead.

Pennant told : “Arsenal might not win the game, but I can’t see them not scoring.

“That Real Madrid defence can be suspect at times, and if Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are on form, they could definitely cause some trouble.

"Arsenal really targeted Madrid’s full backs and reaped the rewards at the Emirates in the first leg.

“Madrid could go on to win the game 2-1 or 3-1, but I don’t think it’ll be enough and, thanks to Arsenal’s first-leg performance, they’ll go through.

"It might be tight, but I think the Gunners have got this one in the bag.”

Arteta demands 'brave' hearts

Mikel Arteta believes mentality could be the biggest factor tonight.

The Arsenal boss summed up the requirements as: "The mindset to win, to be brave, to be dominant, to be determined, and to have the conviction that we can be better than them, and win the game."

Four Gunners on a tightrope

Four Arsenal players know a booking tonight would rule them out of the Champions League semi-final first-leg.

That's assuming, of course, the Gunners make it through!

The biggest concern must be over Declan Rice, the sensational two-goal hero of last week's 3-0 first-leg win over Real.

But fellow starters Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli would also be suspended if they pick up a yellow card this evening

The fourth star is Jurrien Timber, a sub at the Bernabeu tonight.

Full Gunners team & subs

Frontline injuries mean the Gunners don't have much attacking back-up on the bench.

But Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and whizkid Ethan Nwaneri might have something to say about that.

However, as the Gunners are 'defending' a 3-0 lead, fans will be encouraged to seen versatile Ben White fit enough to be a sub.

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Odegaard, Rice, Saka, Martinelli, Merino.

Subs: Neto, Setford, Tierney, White, Zinchenko, Rosiak, Henry-Francis, Trossard, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Sterling, Nwaneri.

Gunners look to fresh Saka & Merino up front

Arsenal will find out tonight if putting Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino on the bench for Saturday's draw at Brentford pays dividends.

Both only came on midway through the first half at the weekend - and both start tonight.

Saka and third scorer Merino played key roles in last week's 3-0 first-leg win over Real.

And with Arsenal unchanged from that victory, it means Myles Lewis-Skelly will be fresh too.

The left-back, 18, didn't get off the bench in the 1-1 home stalemate with the Bees.

Rio verdict on Gunners' hopes

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has given his prediction for tonight's massive match.

And it's good news for Arsenal - provided they survive an expected storm from Real.

The ex-England defender told his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast: "If Madrid score first and there’s around half an hour to play… rah! My bum’s gonna be speaking for you lot [Arsenal]!"

But he added: "I think Arsenal go through, trust me. I do.

"I think it’s going to be too much. Listen, I think Arsenal will go through. I think they’ve got too much.

"I think this Madrid team looked a bit disjointed the other day, the balance of the team and the squad hasn’t been right and they’ve been conceding goals left, right and centre.

"[Bukayo] Saka coming back was the big thing and it changed everything for Arsenal.

"If Saka is not there, I don’t think they would have won 3-0. But it is that and I think Arsenal are going to go through."

Arsenal team news due in 5 mins

The Gunners say they'll be revealing their Bernabeu line-up at around 6.50pm.

Arteta vows to attack

Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal will target victory - not survival - at the Bernabeu tonight.

The Gunners were well-deserved 3-0 winners in the quarter-final first leg at the Emirates.

And asked about his tactics tonight, Arteta insisted: "To win it. It's the same as we did in London.

"Our preparation has been about the things that we have to do, the things we have to dominate throughout the game, in different phases to give us the best possible chance to win.

" That's clear in our mindset, and the way we’re going to play."

Raya light on history bid

David Raya has turned the tables on Madrid's dream of overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit in Europe's top competition for the first time since 1975.

Real lost 4-1 to Derby 50 years ago before winning the return home leg 5-1.

But Arsenal keeper David Raya said simply: "We're here just to create our own history."

He added: "The mood is great.

"The feeling is not nerves, it is confidence that we can replicate what we did in the first game, and come here for the win."

Electric atmosphere growing

There's already a magical feeling around the Bernabeau area - with more than 90 minutes until kick-off.

Home fans thronged the side of the streets from before 6pm to welcome the team bus in.

And there's a belief around Madrid that Real can achieve one of their most memorable nights in Europe, even by their standards.

Two changes - as Real axe Modric

Real have dropped six-time Champions League winner Luka Modric.

The playmaker and banned defender Eduardo Camavinga make way tonight from the team that lost the first leg 3-0 at Arsenal.

In come Lucas Vazquez at right-back and creative midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

It all means a major tactical change.

Federico Valverde is likely to move from the right of defence to his usual position - probing from midfield.

Bellingham and Vinicius back

The worst kept secret in today's Champions League team news is now official.

Vinicius Jr will return to Real's starting line-up to face Arsenal - as will Jude Bellingham.

Both had half-hour roles as subs in LaLiga at the weekend.

Cool-o Ancelotti

Few people are more qualified to talk about champions League pressure than Carlo Ancelotti.

The Real Madrid chief has won it five times - on three occasions with the Spanish giants.

Before that came two triumphs with AC Milan, where he also lifted its predecessor the European Cup twice.

So with Real facing a 3-0 deficit tonight he's clear on the attitude he needs.

Ancelotti said he is "focused, with a very cool head".

The Italian added: "It's not my first night like this and I hope it will not be the last."

A Real Mad Hatters fact!

Arsenal will go through tonight - unless Real Madrid can do something the Gunners last did at Luton 498 days ago.

With the Gunners 3-0 up from the first leg, Real must of Real must score three times to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals.

And the last time Arsenal conceded that many goals was in a 4-3 Prem win at Luton on December 5 2023.

Arteta said yesterday: “It’s been 497 days but it doesn't matter.

"We have to prove it now in this context, and that's the beauty of it; that's the challenge and that's the great thing about sport.

"We've shown that we're capable of doing it, and that has to give us reassurance and confidence that we can do it.

"Now, let's talk on the pitch - it's the only thing that matters.”

Arteta names 3 keys to success - and picks top one

Mikel Arteta has outlined the "three main aspects" that could decide Arsenal's fate this evening.

And he's also named which one he believes will play the biggest part in the Bernabeu.

The Gunners' boss said: "There are three main aspects in the game, the physical aspect, the technical and tactical aspect, and the emotional aspect.

And that emotional aspect is very significant, because I have a lot of reassurance from what the team has done all season, in positive contexts, and in very difficult contexts.

"So to prepare for a scenario like this, and to be convinced that we can handle any situation, we're going to enjoy playing any kind of game that we are thrown tomorrow.”

Third time plucky for Mikel

Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to turn in another bold show as they attempt to send their Champions League pedigree soaring tonight.

He said: “A lot of clubs have built their history by doing it many times, trying many times, sometimes failing, sometimes being successful.

"Last year, we had an experience and with that one, we want to be better this season, and apply that to reach the semi-finals, which will be only our third time in the history of our football club."

'Gunners would consider Saliba swap for 2 Real stars'

Arsenal are fighting to keep William Saliba - but would consider selling him to Real Madrid in exchange for TWO players.

That's the claim from Spanish outlet , even though the Gunners' overwhelming preference would be to extend Saliba's contract beyond 2027.

It's suggested Arsenal value their France centre-back at around 100million euros - about £86m.

reckon the Gunners would reluctantly consider an approach from Saliba's main suitors - and tonight's opponents -Real.

But Emirates chiefs could demand both Arda Guler and Endrick in return.

But it's thought Real have no interest in allowing either of those stars to go.

Instead, the Spanish giants are tipped to wait - ideally hoping Saliba doesn't sign a new deal and becomes a free agent in two years' time.

But that's a high-risk strategy - because the smart money is on the defender agreeing a new Arsenal contract and, if he didn't, he would be sure to attract many offers.

Art and design

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must paint an "exciting" vision of what they want to achieve tonight - then draw on it to succeed.

The Gunners defend a 3-0 lead at the Bernabeu from 8pm tonight.

Arsenal boss Arteta said: “When you have to create a story, first of all, you have to be excited about it.

"You have to be really prepared about it, and then you have to be really convinced about what you want to achieve.

"Then it's about insisting, and going step by step."