£85m Real Madrid star will not be allowed to play against Arsenal at the Emirates in Champions League quarter-final

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Arsenal are set to face Real Madrid in the quarter-final of the Champions League.

The Gunners confirmed their place in the final eight of the competition after finishing the job against PSV Eindhoven in the second leg at the Emirates.

Real Madrid had to work a lot harder in their round of 16 clash against Atletico Madrid. The game went to penalties and Carlo Ancelotti’s men controversially won it in the end.

Now, Arsenal and Real Madrid will face each other in the quarter-final, and there is some bad news for the defending European champions.

Aurelien Tchouameni will not play in Arsenal vs Real Madrid first leg

Aurelien Tchouameni is one of Real Madrid’s most important players.

The Frenchman, who joined the Galacticos in an £85 million deal in the summer of 2022 (Guardian), has been fantastic for them.

Tchouameni has been a starter under Ancelotti in almost every game when he has been fit this season. He played against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night as well.

However, Real Madrid will have to do without him in the first leg of their quarter-final clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

That’s because Tchouameni picked up a yellow card against Atleti, which was his third of the season in the Champions League. He is now suspended for the next game as a result.

Raheem Sterling will also be suspended for the first game against Real Madrid next month.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Real Madrid includes one huge boost

The game between Arsenal and Real Madrid is still a few weeks away, but we’re sure it will already be on the players’ minds.

The two sides haven’t faced each other in a competitive game since 2006 – Thierry Henry helped the Gunners knock Real Madrid out then.

Arsenal fans will be hoping for a repeat of that in April, and Bukayo Saka is expected to be back fit for the Gunners, which is a huge boost.

Here’s how we think Arsenal will line up for that game: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli, Merino, Saka.