Bukayo Saka’s return creates blueprint for Arsenal victory over Real Madrid, Mikel Arteta’s plan is not what you expect

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Arsenal’s hopes of silverware this season hinge on a huge Champions League clash with holders Real Madrid.

Arsenal have matches in the Premier League against Fulham and Everton before hosting Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded side at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League quarter final.

Bukayo Saka is expected to return from injury early and could be involved as early as the Fulham game as Mikel Arteta looks to get his star man up to speed ahead of the crucial tie.

Ethan Nwaneri will have a new Arsenal role upon Saka’s return to the side but how the Gunners set up against Madrid with the returning England star may catch many by surprise.

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Bukayo Saka leads pressing statistic with Martin Odegaard

Saka’s absence in recent months has had a huge impact on Arsenal, not only in their results but in their performances too.

His energy and creativity is often the spark for many of the Gunners attacks but Saka also does another important job for the team alongside captain Martin Odegaard.

Odegaard has missed Saka in an attacking sense but the duo have also combined to win the ball back in the opposition’s defensive third an incredible 115 times since the start of last season.

Front foot football has always been the blueprint for Arteta since his arrival at the club but over recent months it has been noticeable how Arsenal have retreated slightly with the absence of their trigger to press in Saka.

Saka’s return changes Arsenal game plan against Real Madrid

Many fans and pundits believe the best chance Arsenal have of beating Real Madrid is to sit back, soak up pressure and then try to hit the defending champions on the break.

However, with Saka back in the side, Madrid’s vulnerabilities are in defence and if Arsenal can press high and win the ball back, they may have some joy in getting shots away at Thibaut Courtois.

Theo Walcott believes Arsenal’s defence can win the Champions League and has highlighted the importance of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Yet the duo of Saka and Odegaard will be just as important for Arteta as they provide the basis for the Gunners getting after Real Madrid and finding the weaknesses that the Spanish side do possess.