Arsenal entertain Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Gunners go into the game after a 1-1 Premier League draw against Everton at Goodison Park.
Madrid were not on the winning side either last weekend. They suffered a surprise 2-1 La Liga defeat to Valencia at the Bernabeu.
Despite this, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are favourites for tomorrow’s clash, and Arsenal must be at their best to secure a positive result.
The Gunners have to be defensively astute, and we believe Mikel Merino should start in his preferred midfield position tomorrow.
The Spaniard has a good track record of playing against Los Blancos from his time with Real Sociedad.
He has faced them on 10 occasions, winning four times. Merino has scored three goals and provided one assist during those meetings.
Merino has been superb as a makeshift striker in the injury absence of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
However, he was back in his preferred midfield role against Everton on Saturday, where he won a stunning 15 ground and aerial duels.
The £30 million-rated star also made five-headed clearances with six recoveries and two tackles.
Merino showed his class as a defensive midfielder. Arteta must entrust him with a similar job to control proceedings in the centre of the park versus Madrid.
The Spaniard should not play as a number nine.
Thomas Partey is expected to return to the starting XI ahead of Jorginho, but we would still pair the Ghanaian alongside Merino and Declan Rice.
This would probably mean Arsenal playing without an out-and-out striker. Martin Odegaard may have additional duties as a false number nine.
Leandro Trossard scored at the weekend but could feature on the bench.
Gabriel Martinelli’s pace on the left wing would be more effective against Madrid to capitalise on Jakub Kiwior’s long balls from central defence.
Bukayo Saka is nailed on to start on the right wing ahead of Raheem Sterling, who is suspended after his third yellow card of the competition versus PSV.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Fotmob.com
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