Arsenal lineup vs. Real Madrid: Predicted XI for Champions League second leg amid Thomas Partey concern

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that key midfielder Thomas Partey is set to be available for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

The Ghana midfielder scored the opening goal in the weekend's 1-1 draw with Brentford in the Premier League but was then forced off shortly afterwards with a knock of unspecified severity.

However, Arteta affirmed at his pre-game press conference that Partey and Ben White are both fine to feature after knocks, but the chest issue that Jorginho suffered at the weekend will sideline him for a few weeks.

Partey was fielded as an emergency right-back at the weekend, but Jurrien Timber will no doubt come back into the fray at the Bernabeu, where Myles Lewis-Skelly will attempt to nullify Rodrygo yet again.

As Riccardo Calafiori's knee is still giving him grief, Jakub Kiwior - hailed for his defensive display alongside William Saliba last week - has earned the right to continue in front of David Raya.

Further forward, Partey will no doubt anchor the midfield if fit enough, while Martin Odegaard and first-leg hero Declan Rice - the only player to score two free kicks in a single UCL knockout game - are shoo-ins.

Following Rice's sensational set-pieces, Mikel Merino bagged his fourth career goal against Real Madrid - against no side does he boast more - and the Spaniard is set to continue up top with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, unless he is required in midfield.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli

> Click here to see how Real Madrid could line up for the second leg