Arsenal need to be wary of Kylian Mbappe’s stunning comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid record ahead of Champions League tie

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Arsenal are preparing to welcome the reigning European champions to the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s side face a huge task in the Champions League quarter final against Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded side but will be relishing the challenge.

Real Madrid received a boost before the clash by learning that UEFA chose not to suspend any of their quartet charged following celebrations after the last-16 victory over local rivals Atletico Madrid.

One of those players available to face Arsenal is striker Kylian Mbappe and the Gunners will need to wary of a scary comparison the French striker is making with Cristiano Ronaldo in his debut season at Madrid.

READ MORE: How Arsenal could line-up against Real Madrid with seven players potentially ruled out of Champions League clash

Kylian Mbappe’s stunning comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo

Gabriel Magalhaes requires hamstring surgery and therefore will miss the rest of the season in a huge blow to the Gunners chances of keeping Real Madrid at bay.

Jakub Kiwior could partner William Saliba at the heart of Arsenal’s defence and the pairing will have to be fully on their game to stop one of the world’s best in Mbappe.

As per the Athletic, Mbappe is producing an impressive debut season in Spain and is even drawing comparisons with Ronaldo in a vital statistic.

Mbappe is drawing close to Ronaldo’s ‘game state-changing’ goal record at Madrid, whereby a goal puts a team ahead or draws them level within a match.

Ronaldo scored 14 of these in his debut season, whilst Mbappe is already on 13 with a large proportion of the season remaining, the French forward has also struck four of these in the Champions League.

Ties such as these are always defined by fine margins and Arteta will be hammering home the message to his players that they cannot allow Mbappe any space at any time.

Mbappe is a big fan of Arsenal’s William Saliba

Mbappe is likely to be marshalled by his France international team mate Saliba during the quarter final clash and the Real Madrid man is a big fan of the Gunners defender.

As per the Metro, Mbappe told France Football that Saliba was more deserving of being crowned France’s footballer of the year for 2024.

Mbappe stated: “You have to be fair, William Saliba would also have deserved to win this trophy.”

Saliba is of interest to Real Madrid and with his contract expiring in 2027, new sporting director Andrea Berta will be tasked with tying the defender down to avoid losing him.

There will be no thoughts of future plans at the Emirates Stadium however, as Saliba looks to prove he can handle one of the very best and secure his side a vital lead in the Champions League tie.