Wednesday’s high-voltage Champions League first-leg quarterfinals lineup will feature defending champions Real Madrid taking on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Here we take a look at a few highlights ahead of the contest:

The return of Saka is a huge boost for Arteta, who has been short of firepower in recent weeks, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus out of action with long-term injuries.

Mikel Arteta admitted he is "obsessed" with winning the Premier League title as he urged Arsenal to keep the pressure on leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal kept alive their Premier League title challenge with a 5-1 demolition of dismal Manchester City on Sunday as the troubled champions endured another humiliation in their season from hell.

Unai Emery has revealed Ollie Watkins wants to stay at Aston Villa after Arsenal reportedly made a bid for the England striker this week.

Arteta's side swatted aside the Croatian champions at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday thanks to Declan Rice's early opener and second half goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.

Arteta conceded Arsenal were culpable for the defensive mistakes that allowed Villa back into the game.

Mikel Arteta said on Friday the Premier League title race cannot be boiled down to a straight shootout between Arsenal and Liverpool as he urged his players to relish the battle.

Jesus was stretchered off in the first half of Sunday's FA Cup third-round match against Manchester United, which ended in a defeat for the Gunners on penalties.

Arsenal closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to six points as Gabriel Jesus extended his hot-streak in a 3-1 win at Brentford on Wednesday.

Asked at a press conference about the 23-year-old England international's condition, Arteta said: "It is not looking good. He will be out for many weeks."

Mikel Arteta said on Tuesday winning the League Cup could be a launchpad for more silverware as he celebrates five years in charge at Arsenal this week.

Bukayo Saka's double fired Arsenal a step closer to the Champions League last 16 as the England forward inspired a 3-0 win against Monaco on Wednesday.

Arteta had demanded a dynamic display from his team ahead of their trip to the Jose Alvalade stadium and they responded in style.

Pedro Neto dealt a fresh blow to spluttering Arsenal's Premier League title challenge as the Chelsea winger's superb strike rescued a 1-1 draw in the London derby on Sunday.

Saturday's 2-0 loss at Bournemouth brought Arsenal's unbeaten start to the league season to a shuddering halt.

Arteta, who worked as Guardiola's assistant at City before becoming Arsenal boss, said the controversy would not get in the way of his personal relationship with his fellow Spaniard.

Mikel Arteta stood by Arsenal's defensive tactics in their explosive Premier League clash with Manchester City, saying he would have been "thick" not to learn from previous clashes.

Mikel Arteta saluted Arsenal's hunger as the gritty Gunners ignored the absence of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to clinch an "ugly" 1-0 win at bitter rivals Tottenham on Sunday.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta refused to rule captain Martin Odegaard out of Sunday's north London derby at Tottenham despite fears the key midfielder could be sidelined for weeks.