Six Real Madrid Stars Ruled Out vs Arsenal as Six More Risk Missing Second Leg

Real Madrid’s Champions League ambitions have hit a significant roadblock as they prepare to face Arsenal in the quarter-final clash at the Emirates Stadium. With the first leg looming large, Los Blancos are battling an injury crisis that has left Carlo Ancelotti with major selection dilemmas.

The Spanish giants will be without six first-team players due to injuries and suspensions, casting a shadow over their preparations for one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season.

Among the notable absentees is Aurelien Tchouaméni, who is suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards. His defensive solidity and passing range in midfield will be sorely missed.

Dani Ceballos is also unavailable, still recovering from an ongoing injury that has kept him sidelined for weeks. Ceballos’ absence deprives the team of creativity and control in the center of the park.

Ferland Mendy’s hamstring injury, sustained during the intense clash against Atletico Madrid, rules him out, leaving a defensive gap on the left flank.

Meanwhile, center-back Éder Militão continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury, further complicating Real Madrid’s defensive options.

Right-back Dani Carvajal is another key player who won’t be available due to a knee problem, pushing Ancelotti to rethink his defensive lineup.

Adding to the woes, backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has been ruled out with a calf injury. Though Thibaut Courtois is expected to return from a muscle injury, Lunin’s absence reduces depth in goal.

The good news for Madridistas is Courtois’ return, which could provide a morale boost to the team ahead of this difficult fixture. His experience and reflexes could prove vital at the Emirates.

However, the danger doesn’t stop with the current absentees. Six more players are walking a disciplinary tightrope and could miss the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu if they receive yellow cards.

These players include key stars like Vinicius Jr., Antonio Rüdiger, Luka Modrić, Eduardo Camavinga, Lucas Vázquez, and young sensation Endrick. Ancelotti must manage their game time wisely or risk losing them for the decisive return leg.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, as Real Madrid aim to add another Champions League title to their illustrious history. The absences, however, mean that every decision could have a lasting impact.

On the other side, Arsenal are also struggling with their own injury issues. Raheem Sterling is suspended, while Gabriel Magalhães, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Riccardo Calafiori are all sidelined.

Both teams now face the unenviable task of reshuffling their squads and adjusting their tactics, with limited options and little room for error.

The first leg promises to be a tactical chess match, with both Mikel Arteta and Carlo Ancelotti needing to adapt swiftly to make the most of the players at their disposal.

As fans gear up for this high-stakes showdown, the absence of key players only adds to the drama. Expect nothing less than a battle of depth, strategy, and resilience under the Champions League lights.