Arsenal are gearing up for their biggest game of the season so far when they travel to Spain to take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.
The Gunners go into it as heavy favourites after a thrashing at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0.
With such an impressive lead to take with them, Mikel Arteta will be wary of letting it slip in those opening stages.
Arsenal will be calling upon their key players to step up, though there are some doubts in the squad as Thomas Partey and Jorginho are injury concerns, alongside Ben White’s knock.
There is a return for one star, though, who has plenty of experience in featuring at this stage in the Champions League.
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Raheem Sterling available for Arsenal against Real Madrid after suspension
One positive return for Arsenal is that of Raheem Sterling, who will be available to Mikel Arteta once again.
The Chelsea loanee has largely featured from the substitutes’ bench this campaign, and while he hasn’t had much joy with consistent starts, he could still be key for the coming clash.
Sterling was suspended for the first leg with Real Madrid, due to picking up too many yellow cards, but he is available after serving the one-match ban.
The winger has plenty of experience featuring in the latter stages of the Champions League, having done so with Manchester City.
Arteta worked closely with Sterling during those times, with the Arsenal boss saying when he joined the Gunners last summer: “My time with Raheem was exceptional. We built a really strong relationship together.
“He was unbelievable at that time. He taught me a lot as well, about individuals, how the players think, how we support them. He is someone I have really strong feelings about.”
While he hasn’t shown those unbelievable moments in abundance, the big stage can often call those big players to step forward, and Sterling now has that chance.
Arsenal players at risk of Champions League suspension
While Sterling will make his return to the Arsenal squad, there are three players who are currently at risk of a potential suspension.
Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Martinelli are all one booking away from being banned for the first leg of the semi-final, if the Gunners make it that far.
The Champions League rules state that three yellow cards will result in a suspension, but they reset at the next round.
It means that, if the trio all avoid a caution, then they will be free for the final four, coming as a huge potential boost.
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