IT was clear from the moment Arsenal’s line-up dropped for Saturday’s match at Goodison Park that Mikel Arteta had one eye on Real Madrid. The 1-1 draw against Everton was disappointing, but the Premier League title race was already over for the Gunners. Tuesday’s Champions League clash, however, could be season-defining.

The task is a daunting one. Real Madrid are the defending European champions. No team has won as many Champions League titles as the Spanish giants. Nobody has come close. They boast some of the best players in the world and have the ability to win a match with a moment of brilliance at any given moment.

And yet this is a golden opportunity for Arsenal. The Real Madrid they will face on Tuesday night aren’t the same Real Madrid that blew past Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund on their way to winning the Champions League last season. They aren’t even the same Real Madrid team that was winning matches comfortably a few weeks ago.

Indeed, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are suffering a slump right now. Saturday’s home defeat to Valencia was a shock in some sense, but a result like that had been coming. Leganes scored twice at the Santiago Bernabeu the week before, just a few days before Real Sociedad scored four times in the Copa del Rey.

Much of this defensive vulnerability can be attributed to the injury crisis currently being endured by Los Blancos. Dani Carvajal is out for the season. Eder Militao has also missed the majority of the campaign through injury while Ferland Mendy is currently sidelined. Real Madrid are stretched thin at the back.

Dani Ceballos’ injury has also hit Real Madrid hard. The former Arsenal midfielder had grown into the role as Toni Kroos’ replacement in the centre of Ancelotti’s midfield only for a hamstring injury to take him down in February. Ceballos might be back before the end of the season, but he will certainly miss the return to his former club.

Arsenal could be perfectly built to expose Real Madrid’s weaknesses. The Spaniards have struggled against teams that play in quick transition and with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli now back from injury this is a threat Arteta’s team will carry. If the Gunners can get forward quickly, they could put Real Madrid to the sword just as Valencia, Real Sociedad and Leganes have recently.

Of course, Real Madrid still have the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior to pull them out of trouble, although the latter isn’t playing like the player who could have won last year’s Ballon d’Or. Vinicius is currently a shadow of his former self and is desperately lacking confidence.

Central midfield could be another area where Arsenal might have the better of Real Madrid. Ceballos’ injury and Airline Tchouameni’s suspension means Luka Modric and Fede Valverde are expected to start in the centre of the pitch. While both players are elite, Arsenal’s trio of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Thomas Partey could overwhelm them.

After disappointment in the Premier League, Arsenal’s season hinges on whether or not they can get past Real Madrid. Without a trophy, Arteta will face more questions over his team’s ability to get over the line when it matters most. Arsenal have never won the Champions League before and so the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Finally, though, the pieces might be coming together for Arsenal to make this season a special one. After weeks or ruing their injury misfortune, the Gunners have their best attackers back. They have the tactical advantage to get the better of Real Madrid at a time when they’re toiling against everyone they face.

Please remember to gamble responsibly. Visit our Safer Gambling section for more information, help and advice.