Mikel Arteta believes Bukayo Saka can tilt the balance of power in Arsenal's favour in Tuesday's "beautiful" Champions League quarterfinal clash with Real Madrid.
Saka is in contention to feature against Real in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium after making two substitute appearances since returning from three months on the sidelines.
The 23-year-old hasn't appeared in Arsenal's starting line-up since December 21 at Crystal Palace.
But Saka showed he has shaken off the rust by scoring in his first game back against Fulham last week and impressing in Saturday's draw at Everton.
Gunners boss Arteta is confident the England forward, who needed surgery on a hamstring injury, can play a decisive role as Arsenal look to eliminate holders Real.
"He's in a much better place. Obviously, we have built that up," he said.
"He played 30 minutes against Fulham and he's played 49 against Everton and after that he will be in a much better place."
The Champions League is Arteta's last chance to end his five-year trophy drought this season as Arsenal bid to win the tournament for the first time.
Beaten by Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals last season, Arsenal's only Champions League final appearance ended in defeat against Barcelona in 2006.
Having finished as Premier League runners-up in 2023 and 2024, the Gunners are almost certain to fall short in the title race again.
Runaway leaders Liverpool are 11 points clear of second-placed Arsenal after Arteta's men were held by Everton at the weekend.
With that in mind, Arteta made five changes against Everton to keep his stars fresh for the European showdown with Carlo Ancelotti's team.
Arteta is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against Ancelotti's 15-time European champions.
"One of the most beautiful games that you can play in football, in the highest European competition, against the team that has dominated that competition in the last 20, 25 years. So, yeah, really looking forward to it," he said.
'WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE UP AGAINST'
Arteta faces a selection dilemma as he ponders who should partner William Saliba in central defence after Gabriel Magalhaes's season was ended by a hamstring injury.
Jakub Kiwior was handed the role against Everton, but Real forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior are likely to pose significantly more problems than Everton duo Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Arteta has the option of switching Ben White, who made his first Premier League start since November at Goodison Park, into central defence and bringing Jurrien Timber in at right-back.
"We have alternatives there. We had players that hadn't played together at Everton, so that cohesion hasn't been there," Arteta said.
"Ben especially hasn't played at all almost this season, so it's good that they have the minutes and that understanding.
"We will assess what are the best options for that back line."
Arteta should be able to call on Spain midfielder Mikel Merino, who has been deployed as an emergency striker since Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were sidelined by injuries.
Merino suffered a nasty wound in a clash of heads at Everton but Arteta said: "He's fine. He had a cut, so he was bleeding quite a lot in the first half."
After his first league goal since January, Arsenal's Belgian forward Leandro Trossard hopes he has done enough to convince Arteta that he should start against Real.
"I'm very excited, it's a big game for us," Trossard said. "Everyone is up for it, not just the players but the fans as well.
"We know how they are. They have the most Champions League wins in history, so we know what we're up against.
"I hope the atmosphere will be electric because we're going to need it. The first game is at home, so hopefully we can have an advantage there."
REAL MADRID VULNERABILITY EVIDENT AHEAD OF ARSENAL CLASH
Real Madrid's attacking superstars need no introduction but behind them lies a soft, vulnerable underbelly which Arsenal aim to exploit on Tuesday in a Champions League quarterfinal first leg clash.
Carlo Ancelotti's forwards have not always been able to varnish over the team's defensive deficiencies, as was the case in a 2-1 defeat by Valencia on Saturday in LaLiga.
The surprise loss left Real Madrid four points behind leaders Barcelona and was their 10th of the season across all competitions.
Last year as Madrid became Spanish and European champions, they suffered just two all season.
Ancelotti in part attributes the change to Kylian Mbappe's arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, offering Madrid extra edge in attack at the expense of protection in the back.
Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes were the team's main stars going forward last season and Mbappe has joined them to form a quartet.
Madrid also lost Toni Kroos last summer, with the German retiring, and they miss his poise and precision in midfield.
"This year we are much more effective up front because of the arrival of Mbappe, who has 33 goals, and there is a bit more suffering at the back," said Ancelotti last week.
"When you have to choose, it can happen... we're thinking about having this effectiveness and doing a bit more collective work defensively."
To make matters worse for Madrid, holding midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended for the visit to the Emirates.
Goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin have also been out with fitness concerns, with 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez making his debut against Valencia, although both may be fit by Tuesday.
"I think we could have both of them back," said Ancelotti after the Valencia defeat.
"Opponents don't need to work hard to score against us," continued Ancelotti, after Hugo Duro's 95th minute winner stunned the Santiago Bernabeu.
The defeat came four days after Real Madrid let in four goals at home against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey, although they progressed to reach the final 5-4 on aggregate.
DEFENSIVE DECLINE
Los Blancos have conceded 31 league goals so far this season, five more than in the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign.
In the Champions League defeats by Liverpool, AC Milan and Ligue 1 side Lille forced Madrid into the new play-off round, where they outgunned Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate.
That tie exhibited Madrid's new approach at its best, with Mbappe bagging four goals against Pep Guardiola's underwhelming City, but sterner opposition will be able to exploit Madrid's flaws.
In their run to Wembley last season Madrid did not lose a single match in the Champions League.
Long-term injuries to Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao have created problems for Ancelotti at the back, while David Alaba only recently made his comeback and is still far from his best.
Madrid did not make defensive signings last summer, even though it appeared an area which could have been strengthened.
Ancelotti has turned to 22-year-old Raul Asencio to reasonable effect, although he is far from an established figure, while Antonio Rudiger does the best he can to keep Madrid's defence afloat.
Rudiger, along with Mbappe, was given a suspended one-match ban by Uefa, clearing them to play against Arsenal, after their celebrations following the last 16 win over Atletico were deemed indecent conduct.
At times Ancelotti has been guilty of mixed messaging over what he wants from his strikers.
"I prefer he scores goals (rather) than he presses," the coach said of Mbappe in October, while at other times demanding a higher work-rate from the France forward and Vinicius.
Ancelotti will hope that while he continues working on the balance between attack and defence, Mbappe and company can score more than Madrid concede.