Arsenal vs Real Madrid LIVE: Gunners require comeback in second leg of Women’s Champions League quarter-finals

Arsenal will be hoping to avoid a repeat of these scenes…

Kick-off is rapidly approaching at the Emirates.

Whoever wins tonight will play Lyon for a place in the final in Lisbon on Saturday 24 May.

The French side thrashed Bayern Munich 4-1 in the earlier kick-off to go through to the semis 6-1 on aggregate.

And an update from Real Madrid manager Alberto Toril, speaking at the pre-match press conference:

“We know it’s going to be a difficult game.

“We’re up against opposition with a range of strengths. We have the utmost respect for them and despite our good result in the opener, they’ll surely be keen to put us under pressure in front of their fans.

“We’re ready to put on a good display and manage the moments in the game well. We have to be fully focused, with high concentration levels and confidence if we want to come through.”

“We want to balance tomorrow,” Slegers said ahead of this crucial second leg. “Obviously, we’re aware of Real Madrid’s threat as well, but we know what we need to do tomorrow, so we’ll try to make the right decisions. We have a lot of quality in the squad, both from a starting and a finishing perspective.

“When we’re together with the fans, we’re at our best. We can create something magical, and they give us that extra edge. So we really thrive at the Emirates.”

Renee Slegers’ side returned to winning ways with an impressive 4-0 win over Liverpool at the weekend and they will need a similar performance against the Spanish side.

But Real Madrid will be full of confidence after securing a first-ever victory over rivals and European champions Barcelona at the weekend, winning 3-1.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with live coverage beginning at 7.30pm GMT. A live stream will be available to subscribers via discovery+, or for free via Dazn’s YouTube channel.

Kick-off is at 8pm at the Emirates.

This is Arsenal’s 16th UWCL quarter-final and the opening leg in Spain was their first defeat of the campaign, after the Gunners won five of their six group games and drew one to finish above Bayern Munich, Juventus and Valerenga.

That gave them the advantage of a home second leg, and they’ll need all the support of the Emirates crowd to overturn a two-goal deficit and advance to the semi-finals for the eighth time.

But they may also be hoping for the pressure of the situation to get to Real Madrid, who are appearing in just their second quarter-final in the competition and have never reached the last four.

Athenea starts for Real Madrid, replacing the injured Melanie Leupolz. Caroline Weir, who scored two goals against Barcelona midweek from the bench, returns to the starting line-up but drops into midfield.

Real Madrid XI: Misa, Sheila García, María Méndez, Lakrar, Olga Carmona, Toletti, Angeldahl, Weir, Linda Caicedo, Bruun, Athenea del Castillo

Substitutes: Yasmim, Noemí Bejarano, Carla Camacho, Irune Dorado, N. Feller, Sofía Fuente, Laia López, C. Møller, Eva Navarro, Alba Redondo, Elsa Santos, Antônia

Little has been cleared to play after taking a knock against Liverpool mid-week, with the same starting XI from that 4-0 win.

Arsenal XI: van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, Mariona, Little (C), McCabe, Maanum, Foord, Kelly, Russo

Substitutes: Zinsberger, Williams, Codina, Ilestedt, Nighswonger, Reid, Walti, Cooney-Cross, Pelova, Mead, Kafaji, Blackstenius

We’re expecting team news shortly, with Kim Little a doubt for Arsenal after she was forced off in the second half of their last outing, a 4-0 win over Liverpool.

Lotte Wubben-Moy remains unavailable for selection, but Victoria Pelova made her return against Liverpool from a long-term knee injury and will add depth to the hosts’ bench.

The visitors will be missing Rocio Galvez and Teresa Abelleira, who have both been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Melanie Leupolz will join the absentees after she tore a ligament in last week’s match.