Arsenal’s preparations for their crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid have been severely disrupted by an injury to key defender Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian centre-back, who has been a standout performer this season, sustained a knee injury while representing Italy in their Nations League match against Germany. His absence adds to the growing list of setbacks for Mikel Arteta as he attempts to field a competitive squad for the vital European encounter.
The injury occurred in an unfortunate manner, with Calafiori slipping and landing awkwardly, immediately sparking concerns about the severity of the damage. Given his history with knee injuries, there were initial fears that he might have suffered an ACL tear. Although he managed to finish the match, further medical examinations confirmed a first-to-second-degree collateral ligament injury. This diagnosis will keep him sidelined for a minimum of two to three weeks, effectively ruling him out of the first-leg fixture on April 8 at the Emirates Stadium.
His absence is a significant setback for Arsenal, particularly given their existing defensive vulnerabilities. The 22-year-old has been instrumental in Arsenal’s defensive setup, offering strong ball-playing ability and positional awareness. Without him, Arteta faces a selection headache, as Arsenal’s backline is already thin due to other fitness concerns. The lack of defensive depth could prove costly, especially against a Real Madrid attack known for exploiting weaknesses in opposition defenses.
Arsenal will likely be forced into a defensive reshuffle, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães expected to start. Jakub Kiwior may have to step in, but his inconsistency raises concerns about the team’s defensive stability. With Real Madrid’s attacking prowess, any defensive lapse could be severely punished, making Calafiori’s absence even more concerning for Arsenal’s ambitions in the competition.
Adding to their woes, Arsenal will also be without key attackers Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus for the first leg. Both players are still recovering from injuries and are unlikely to return in time. Their absences will limit Arteta’s attacking options and make it more challenging to break down Real Madrid’s disciplined defense. The situation worsens with Raheem Sterling also set to miss the game due to suspension, leaving Arsenal short of quality in attack.
Real Madrid, though not without issues of their own, appear to be in a stronger position. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni is suspended for the first leg, which may require Carlo Ancelotti to tweak his midfield setup. However, with experienced players like Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde available, the Spanish side remains well-equipped to control the game in the middle of the park.
Defensively, Real Madrid will assess the fitness of Ferland Mendy, who sustained a hamstring injury in a recent match against Atletico Madrid. Should he be unavailable, Ancelotti may turn to Fran García or shift Camavinga into the left-back role, a position he has successfully played in the past. Despite this potential setback, Real Madrid still appear to have a stronger squad heading into the first-leg clash.
With Arsenal missing several key players, Real Madrid will likely seize the opportunity to dominate the fixture. The Spanish giants, boasting in-form attackers like Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo, could exploit Arsenal’s defensive frailties. Meanwhile, Arteta must rely on players like Martin Ødegaard, Leandro Trossard, and possibly a recovering Bukayo Saka to provide attacking impetus. As the match approaches, Arsenal will be hoping for last-minute recoveries, but as things stand, they face an uphill battle against a Real Madrid side determined to capitalize on their opponent’s misfortunes.
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