Steve McManaman laughs as he’s asked to choose between Kylian Mbappe and Arsenal star
Steve McManaman had a seemingly easy choice to make when he was naming an Arsenal and Real Madrid combined XI. The two sides will meet in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. Arsenal have reached the quarter-finals for a second consecutive seasonGetty They face record 15-time champions MadridGetty Arsenal thrashed PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate whilst Madrid won on penalties against rivals Atletico Madrid in the last 16. There will be plenty of quality on show from each side but when it comes to creating a blended XI, McManaman has one clear winner. Speaking to TNT Sports, the two-time Champions League winner was given a choice of one Arsenal and one Madrid star in each position. McManaman picked Thibaut Courtois over David Raya in goal as well as Dani Carvajal instead of Ben White at right-back. Antonio Rudiger was named as a centre-back as opposed to Gabriel and is joined by William Saliba rather than David Alaba. Jurrien Timber beat Ferland Mendy to left-back whilst Luka Modric was a swift choice over Thomas Partey. Declan Rice missed out in midfield to Federico Valverde, and so did Martin Odegaard when he was up against Jude Bellingham. Rodrygo beat Bukayo Saka to right-wing as Vinicius Jr pipped Gabriel Martinelli at left-wing, with the striker choice quick to say the least. Kai Havertz and Kylian Mbappe were the options for McManaman, who cheekily laughed before definitively saying: “Mbappe.” It’s a decision won’t come as a surprise for many, and Havertz has been out of action for Arsenal since February anyway. McManaman laughed when he chose between Havertz and Mbappe@footballontnt Havertz is unable to play against Madrid due to injuryRex Mbappe could add to his tally of 55 Champions League goals against ArsenalAFP The German netted 15 goals in 34 appearances before being ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury. Mbappe, on the other hand, has enjoyed an excellent debut campaign with Madrid since his free transfer last summer. Across 46 appearances in all competitions, the Frenchman has scored 32 goals, with seven coming in the Champions League. They include a hat-trick against Manchester City in their last 16 play-off second leg clash as Madrid revived their hopes of another title. Reigning champions Madrid enter their tie against Arsenal as the favourites amid their European pedigree and player availability. Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rudiger and Dani Ceballos could all feature for them despite a recent UEFA investigation into ‘indecent conduct’. Victory over the two legs will take either Arsenal or Madrid closer to gloryAFP Their behaviour after the last 16 win over Atletico was looked into but all four players have avoided immediate bans. Arsenal will be without Gabriel at centre-back after he was ruled out of the rest of the campaign with a hamstring injury. However, the Gunners will be offered more confidence thanks to the recent return of Saka after his long injury absence.
Steve McManaman had a seemingly easy choice to make when he was naming an Arsenal and Real Madrid combined XI.
The two sides will meet in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
Arsenal thrashed PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate whilst Madrid won on penalties against rivals Atletico Madrid in the last 16.
There will be plenty of quality on show from each side but when it comes to creating a blended XI, McManaman has one clear winner.
Speaking to TNT Sports, the two-time Champions League winner was given a choice of one Arsenal and one Madrid star in each position.
McManaman picked Thibaut Courtois over David Raya in goal as well as Dani Carvajal instead of Ben White at right-back.
Antonio Rudiger was named as a centre-back as opposed to Gabriel and is joined by William Saliba rather than David Alaba.
Jurrien Timber beat Ferland Mendy to left-back whilst Luka Modric was a swift choice over Thomas Partey.
Declan Rice missed out in midfield to Federico Valverde, and so did Martin Odegaard when he was up against Jude Bellingham.
Rodrygo beat Bukayo Saka to right-wing as Vinicius Jr pipped Gabriel Martinelli at left-wing, with the striker choice quick to say the least.
Kai Havertz and Kylian Mbappe were the options for McManaman, who cheekily laughed before definitively saying: “Mbappe.”
It’s a decision won’t come as a surprise for many, and Havertz has been out of action for Arsenal since February anyway.
The German netted 15 goals in 34 appearances before being ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
Mbappe, on the other hand, has enjoyed an excellent debut campaign with Madrid since his free transfer last summer.
Across 46 appearances in all competitions, the Frenchman has scored 32 goals, with seven coming in the Champions League.
They include a hat-trick against Manchester City in their last 16 play-off second leg clash as Madrid revived their hopes of another title.
Reigning champions Madrid enter their tie against Arsenal as the favourites amid their European pedigree and player availability.
Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rudiger and Dani Ceballos could all feature for them despite a recent UEFA investigation into ‘indecent conduct’.
Their behaviour after the last 16 win over Atletico was looked into but all four players have avoided immediate bans.
Arsenal will be without Gabriel at centre-back after he was ruled out of the rest of the campaign with a hamstring injury.
However, the Gunners will be offered more confidence thanks to the recent return of Saka after his long injury absence.
