Henry Hardwicke’s selections for Tuesday’s huge Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium include an Arsenal win and a defender to hit the target.
There’s a heavyweight Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night with Arsenal hosting Real Madrid in an Emirates Stadium first-leg clash.
The Gunners cruised past PSV at the last-16 stage of the competition, while Real were taken all the way to a penalty shootout by city rivals Atletico.
Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at Everton at the weekend, while Los Blancos were beaten 2-1 by struggling Valencia at the Bernabeu.
Mikel Arteta’s men are 11/8 in the football betting to secure a first-leg advantage, with Real 21/10 and the draw available at 11/5.
Arsenal v Real Madrid tips
Arsenal to beat Real Madrid 1/1
Jurrien Timber to have a shot on target 11/2
Organised Gunners can find the target
Arsenal face a tough test against Real on Tuesday, but the Gunners are a well-drilled, structured and disciplined side under Arteta and the north Londoners can secure a first-leg advantage.
Clearly, Arsenal have struggled in front of goal this season and injuries to key forwards hasn’t helped, but England attacker Bukayo Saka has returned to the squad and fellow wideman Gabriel Martinelli has looked sharp in recent weeks.
The Gunners will also pose a huge threat at set plays even with Gabriel absent and that could prove a major asset at the Emirates.
Real were beaten 2-1 by Valencia at the Bernabeu on Saturday and that followed a 4-4 Copa del Rey draw with Real Sociedad.
Los Blancos have conceded nine goals in their last four matches and the record of Carlo Ancelotti’s men on their Champions League away days doesn’t inspire confidence.
Real were beaten at Lille and Liverpool in the league phase of the competition and the Madrid men also conceded two goals at Atalanta.
Ancelotti’s side conceded twice at Manchester City in the play-offs, before losing when travelling to city rivals Atletico at the last-16 stage of the Champions League and they could have another tough time in north London.
Timber can cut down Real defence
Arteta has a decision to make in defence with centre-back Gabriel out for the season with a hamstring injury.
There is the possibility of Jurrien Timber or Ben White deputising alongside William Saliba, but Jakub Kiwior replaced the stricken Brazilian against Fulham last week and the Poland international was also given the nod to start at Everton on Saturday.
Kiwior’s presence should mean that Timber will continue at right-back and the Dutchman looks a bet to hit a shot on target on Tuesday night.
The 23-year-old has struck 14 shots from 26 Premier League starts this season and the former Ajax star is an underrated attacking threat.
Timber hit an effort on target against Fulham on Tuesday night, the 23-year-old got another shot off against Everton on Saturday and Saka’s return to the right of Arsenal’s forward line is only going to free up more space for the Dutchman’s attacking raids.