Forget Bukayo Saka, another Arsenal star is back to his best and could unlock Real Madrid’s defence

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Arsenal’s chances of beating Real Madrid in the Champions League have taken an incredible boost with Bukayo Saka’s return to action.

The winger was out of action for over three months, with Saka’s torn hamstring injury requiring some surgery and plenty of time to recover.

With over 100 days on the sidelines, he finally made his return to the adoring Emirates Stadium crowd.

His impact was almost instant as Saka scored against Fulham with what proved to be a key goal in the match to earn the victory.

While Arsenal are certainly boosted by that return, there is another star who could be just as important going forward.

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta names the Arsenal star who is ‘ready’ to replace Gabriel Magalhaes after his injury

Gabriel Martinelli’s return to form is key for Arsenal

While the return of Bukayo Saka is vital to Arsenal, so too is the form of Gabriel Martinelli for the Gunners.

The Brazilian hasn’t quite been at his best this season, struggling to find the sort of form that made him a guaranteed starter on the left flank.

At times, Martinelli has swapped with Leandro Trossard on that side, with both players looking to find that spark for a run of matches.

Following an injury to Martinelli, there had been concerns over the options left available in a frontline decimated by absences.

However, with the star now back in the side, his return to form has been a welcome one for the coming weeks ahead.

Martinelli impressed as Arsenal beat Fulham, with the star picking up an assist along the way for an overall threatening performance.

The winger may finally be able to add some balance to both flanks, given the right-side bias within the team.

That balance will be especially key for the coming Champions League clash against Real Madrid just around the corner.

• READ MORE: Mark Clattenburg names the Arsenal star who was ‘without a doubt’ the quickest he has ever refereed

Real Madrid’s right-back problems could work for Arsenal

There is a particular problem at right-back for Real Madrid that Arsenal could exploit in the Champions League quarter-finals.

With Dani Carvajal a long-term absentee through injury, there have been some changes on the flanks throughout the campaign.

Lucas Vazquez is an option to feature there, having been a versatile option to feature all along the right and left flank.

It’s unclear just how convincing he could be there, but that could be an option for Martinelli to exploit on his flank.

Another player who has featured there is Federico Valverde, another versatile star who has played at full-back.

Regardless of that, though, Martinelli could cause plenty of problems for any of the players who feature on that side.