Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has shared worrying news for fans as three key players could miss the crucial second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. The Gunners head into the match with a 3-0 advantage from the first leg but may now have to face the Spanish giants without Ben White, Thomas Partey, and Jorginho.
Ben White was unavailable for Arsenal’s recent 1-1 draw against Brentford after suffering a knock during training. Meanwhile, both Partey and Jorginho had to leave the pitch during that match due to injury concerns. Partey appeared uncomfortable and was withdrawn early, while Jorginho left the field after suffering a rib injury that made it hard for him to breathe properly.
“We didn’t want to take any risks,” Arteta explained after the game, also mentioning that Partey would undergo further checks before a final decision is made about his availability.
These new concerns come as a big blow for Arsenal, who are already without several other key players. Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz are all recovering from various injuries. The absence of so many starters could cause serious problems for Arteta’s squad, especially with such a high-stakes game ahead.
In the Premier League, Arsenal’s title hopes have taken a hit due to their growing injury list. Liverpool is now in a strong position to take the lead in the title race. Despite this, the Gunners have shown strong form in Europe. Declan Rice was the standout in the first leg against Madrid, scoring twice and giving fans hope for a deep run in the tournament.
Arteta remains careful about overconfidence and noted, “We’ll need to be even better in Madrid to go through.”
