Mikel Arteta has called for focus from his Arsenal players Mikel Arteta has called for focus from his Arsenal players

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will not be distracted by their "fascinating" upcoming Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid when they face Chelsea on Sunday. (More Football News)

The Gunners set up the blockbuster showdown with the 15-time champions after completing a 9-3 aggregate rout of PSV in midweek.

Before that, they shift their focus to ending a three-game winless streak in the Premier League, which has seen them fall 15 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal still occupy second place, though that is now under threat from third-place Nottingham Forest and Chelsea in fourth.

On locking horns with Madrid, Arteta told reporters: "Fascinating draw. We play the club with the biggest history in the competition. [We are] very excited to play against them, but before that, we have some big matches in the Premier League."

The Gunners are unbeaten in each of their last six Premier League meetings with the Blues, who have lost their last three league games away from Stamford Bridge.

"It's two teams that want to be very dominant in their way of playing, very aggressive in the high press and the way we have to have the ball," Arteta added.

"There is a lot of individual quality on that pitch, so it's about imposing what you want in the direction you want to take the game, and keeping them very far from their strengths. That's going to be key."

Although Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are out for the season, Arsenal's attacking options have been boosted by the recent return of Gabriel Martinelli, while Bukayo Saka is also close to full fitness.

However,betef.com Arteta insists he will carefully manage the game time of the Brazilian, who made his comeback from injury as a substitute in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

"We have more options, but we have to manage the load," he said. "[Martinelli] is a little bit ahead of schedule, and we don't want to take any risks with him by loading him with more minutes.

Last time out against Chelsea at home...The Gunners put on a five-star displaypic.twitter.com/Fqv4j2WVwj

His time of one minute 28.197 beat Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez into second place by just 0.066 seconds, while McLaren’s Lando Norris was the best of the rest.

“I think if you look at Melbourne performance-wise, I think we were quick, but we didn't finish the race," Verstappen said. "So that's not ideal, but our car normally likes the higher-speed corners, so hopefully we can show that again this weekend.”

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 15, 2025

"Saka is getting closernatalspin, he's stepping up and making very good progress. Let's see. We have to throw him into the team, see how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly."