If there's a team who could overcome a 3-0 deficit in the UEFA Champions League, it's Real Madrid and if there's one who could stop them, it's the Arsenal defence, and it will live its greatest ever test in the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Arsenal visits the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid looking to secure the ticket to the semi finals by protecting a 3-0 first-leg advantage secured on a memorable night in the Emirates.

After years of struggles in the competition, which has seen them exit in the round of 16 on several occasions under Arsène Wenger, prior to their failure to even qualify in six straight seasons, the Gunners are now getting a hold on the competition, reaching the quarter finals in consecutive seasons.

Under Mikel Arteta, they have been able to assemble stars of their own, whether those made in Hale End, minors turned into world beaters, as well as those who arrived at the Emirates with quite a reputation.

Taking on a club with knack for marque signings in Real Madrid, who also double as a potential suitor for most of their stars, Arsenal arrive at the Bernabeu with a host of players who could fit into Los Blancos' current Galacticos, and Wednesday's clash could be a Madrid exhibition for some of these stars.

They had a very good night in a pack Emirates Stadium a week ago, but getting the job done in a convincing way, and in front of a larger percentage of Real Madrid supporters will add to their reputation ahead of the summer, when the links and speculations will become more intense.

In this article, we take a look at the Arsenal stars who would make it into the current Real Madrid side should Los Blancos decide to pursue an interest, whether reigniting or initiating a deal.

Arsenal Takes Galacticos to Real Madrid 

The One That Got Away

Riccardo Calafiori: The Italian is still a doubt for the trip, was on the radar of Real Madrid last summer, before sealing a €60 million move to Arsenal from Bologna.

Calafiori will not only make it into the Real Madrid team but also become one of popular faces at the club, given his top technique as a defender and his explosive playstyle. His good looks will also make him a popular one with the fans.

The Real Madrid's left-back position is still very much in contention as Fran Garcia hasn't convinced at the highest level, while Ferland Mendy struggles with inconsistency and injuries, which makes him appears outgrown by the team.

David Alaba was deployed in the first leg, and he had a night to forget against a 50 percent fit Bukayo Saka, conceding the free-kick that led to the first goal at Arsenal.

A move for Riccardo Calafiori would make sense for Real Madrid, although his poor injury history is a concern, yet, he should be well over it if he managed to finish the remainder of the season without another setback.

Arsenal may also be open to doing business, if Madrid will be willing to meet the pricetag of one of their expensive investments due to the rise of Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has now started more games than any other left-back at the club this season.

Mikel Arteta could also decide to block a potential exit as Calafiori offers versatility in defence and has an even higher ceiling. At 22, he is only going to get better in the near future.

Whether or not the Spanish giants decide to make Riccardo Calafiori one of them, one thing remains clear, he has that quality and aura demanded of a true Galactico.

The Ones That Could Yet Be

William Saliba: One to look out for in the summer or the summer after the coming one. Real Madrid are showing genuine interest in signing William Saliba from Arsenal.

The Frenchman, 24, has developed to become one of the best defenders in the world today, and continues to get better game after game.

Saliba has one weakness, which is aerial duels, but in recently games against Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea, he has completed everyone of his aerial duels, showing his commitment to becoming the complete center back.

So far in 2025, he is one of the only three defenders to contest 40+ aerial duels and keep a successful rate of 75 per cent or more, alongside Jan Bednarek and Nikola Milenkovic of Southampton and Nottingham Forest respectively.

Alongside Gabriel, Saliba has formed arguably the best center back pair in Europe in the last two seasons, keeping an impressive record in the UEFA Champions League and the domestic competitions.

He is a big game player, capable of shutting down any attacker. He has won the player of the match away to Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United in important league fixtures, making him a star on the big stage.

Against Real Madrid in the first leg, he led the defence in the absence of Gabriel Magalhaes, ensuring nothing went right for Real Madrid on the night, making one of the best attacks in the world look below average.

Some Galactico he would make. Although Arsenal have always been clear on their stance with Saliba, which is not for sale, and the Frenchman has also reiterated that he is only focused on the club, it is almost impossible to say no, when Real Madrid comes calling.

Currently, the club does need new faces in the heart of their defence, with the current crop ageing and struggling for fitness due to recurring injuries. Signing Saliba, a world class defender who would likely hit the ground running will definitely be perfect for their project.

A potential move could see him become the most expensive center back of all time, and won't he be worth every penny?

Bukayo Saka: Despite Real Madrid having a host of world class wingers and even struggling to field them at a go, the Englishman offers something very different, and not even the Spanish giants, with a star-studded Madrid attack, will pass on him.

Real Madrid lack a natural right winger, and Bukayo Saka makes up for that. The best in the world they could name when it comes down to it, the Hale Ender would make a perfect Galactico.

The complete winger you can say. The 23-year-old has all the etiquettes of a perfect modern winger. Whether wrecking havocs on the opposition defense or helping out his right back, he is never found wanting.

A creative winger, it took nine Premier League gameweeks after this injury in December before anyone in the competition could surpass his tally of big chances created this season, and he has started to make noise upon his return.

Won those two free-kicks converted by Declan Rice in the first leg despite not having the best of games. That is Bukayo Saka for you. He makes something happen out of nothing.

Players like Ola Aina and Nuno Mendes have recently come out to admit he is the best they've come up against, which shows how far he has come since his breakthrough in 2019, when he started as a left-back.

Bukayo Saka's versatility is also an asset, but Real Madrid may not really need that. Doing his stuff down the right would be enough, and it would be worth it, even if it means sacrificing one of their current major attackers.

Auxiliary Option

Declan Rice: One of the greatest defensive midfielders in the world today. The Englishman can do so much more, which makes him the perfect Galactico player.

At the forefront of Arsenal's project, he is unlikely to move but he definitely makes a great signing for Real Madrid, despite the fact that the club have French duo of Aurelien Tchouameni and Edouardo Camavinga.

Order of Importance

Real Madrid will definitely be out in the summer looking to strengthen their squad. Although their priority will majorly be the defence, which makes Saliba and Calafiori potential targets in the next months.

There have been reports of interest in Saliba already, while more is being revealed about their failure in the Calafiori deal last year; which was down to the complicated nature of the deal.

Arsenal had to wait for more than a while before they were able to complete the deal for the left-back, as there was a disagreement between Bologna and Basel over the percentage on sell on.

Bukayo Saka may not be a priority for now, but he is that profile and his persona will make a great Galactico. If being play out of position becomes too frustrating for one of Madrid's attackers, let's say Rodrygo, then Saka will be the go-to man.

A place in the last four of the UEFA Champions League is up for grabs but the contest itself means much more for some than it does some others.

While the likes of Fran Garcia, if given the chance, will look to put in a performance that reassures the club that he has a lot more to offer, injury will keep our some of his teammates, who could have had the chance to also stake a claim on their slot.

Nevertheless, the trio of William Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka have entice Real Madrid, and representing their club at this stage in Europe's biggest club competition, in the Bernabeu will make it a memorable event.