🚨OPINION: Mikel Arteta Can Unleash Dream Starting XI vs Real Madrid – But There’s a £34m Problem.

🚨OPINION: Mikel Arteta Can Unleash Dream Starting XI vs Real Madrid – But There’s a £34m Problem.

 

Arsenal fans have plenty of reasons to be excited ahead of their blockbuster Champions League clash with Real Madrid. Mikel Arteta could finally field what many believe to be his dream starting XI, with key stars nearing full fitness at the perfect time.

 

Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu are expected to be available, giving Arteta flexibility and depth in two vital areas. Jesus adds mobility, creativity, and pressing from the front, while Tomiyasu’s defensive solidity could prove crucial against Madrid’s fluid attack. These returns allow Arteta to line up with his strongest backline — White, Saliba, Gabriel, and Zinchenko — protected by Rice and Partey in midfield, with Odegaard pulling the strings ahead of them.

 

Up top, the trio of Martinelli, Saka, and Jesus can cause havoc for any defense. It’s a blend of pace, flair, and work ethic — tailor-made for high-stakes European nights.

 

However, there’s one major issue: Kai Havertz.

 

Signed for £65m, the German international has recently found form and rhythm playing as a false nine or a hybrid midfielder. But with Jesus back, Havertz’s place becomes uncertain. Does Arteta drop him, or does he tweak the formation? It’s a £34m question — the reported value difference between Havertz and Jesus — and a dilemma that speaks to Arsenal’s growing squad depth.

 

Rotation may be necessary, but against Madrid, every detail matters. Arteta will have to make a ruthless decision, balancing form, fitness, and tactical needs. It’s a luxury problem, yes — but one that could define Arsenal’s European destiny.