Real Madrid make Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr decision before Arsenal clash

Real Madrid have chosen to rest Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and a number of other key players ahead of next week's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal.

The Gunners have positioned themselves perfectly ahead of their trip to the Bernabeu on Wednesday night have thrashed Los Blancos 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in midweek.

Declan Rice's two incredible free-kicks followed by an impressive Mikel Merino strike ensured Real have a mountain to climb in the second leg in Spain.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have a prestigious history in the Champions League; however, the Italian faced a quandary with his team selection on Sunday. Real currently sit seven points behind leaders Barcelona but can gut the gap to four if they beat Alaves in La Liga.

However, going full strength could weaken them ahead of the match with Arsenal next week where they will need to be at their best.

Ancelotti therefore had to make a choice on which competition to prioritise and has chosen the Champions League.

The Real boss has made four changes for the league fixture this afternoon with Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, David Alaba and Luka Modric all rested ahead of the return leg.

Mikel Arteta went for a similar tactic on Saturday as he made five changes for the team that faced Brentford.

Such changes resulted in a 1-1 draw for the Gunners as Thomas Partey's opener was cancelled out by Yoane Wissa. It will all be considered worthwhile on Wednesday if Arsenal can see out the victory in Madrid.

Should the Gunners finish the job, they will face the winners of Aston Villa vs PSG. The Parisians head into the second leg in the West Midlands, 3-1 up having fought back from Morgan Rogers' opener.

Ancelotti, meanwhile, knows a comeback is highly unlikely but acknowledged that anything could happen.

"If you look at the game tonight there is no possibility (of a comeback at the Bernabeu) - but nobody expected Rice would score two goals from set-pieces, so in football anything can happen," said Ancelotti after the first leg.

"The possibility is low but we have to try 100 per cent, and do all we can. It is an opportunity to show a response to a poor game."

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