Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that the team could be without four key defenders for their crucial Champions League clash against Real Madrid. This injury setback poses a significant challenge as the Gunners prepare for the first leg of the quarter-finals.
Arteta provided updates on the conditions of Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhães, both of whom picked up injuries during Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Fulham. The match saw Bukayo Saka return to the scoresheet, but the celebrations were dampened by the defensive casualties.
Gabriel suffered a hamstring issue just 15 minutes into the game at the Emirates Stadium. After receiving medical attention on the field, he was unable to continue and was substituted by Jakub Kiwior. Timber, meanwhile, showed signs of discomfort around the 30-minute mark after blocking a shot from Raul Jimenez. Although he attempted to carry on, the pain persisted, forcing Arteta to replace him with Leandro Trossard later in the match.
These injuries come at a difficult time for Arsenal, with the team gearing up to face Real Madrid in a high-stakes European fixture. Speaking at his post-match press conference, Arteta admitted the uncertainty surrounding Gabriel and Timber’s availability.
“We are not sure about their conditions yet,” Arteta said. “We will assess them tomorrow. Gabriel felt something in his hamstring, but we don’t know how serious it is. Jurrien was already struggling from early on and couldn’t continue.”
Adding to Arsenal’s defensive woes, Ben White was also unavailable for the Fulham match due to a minor injury, while Riccardo Calafiori remains sidelined with a knee problem. With four defenders potentially missing, Arteta faces a selection headache ahead of the Real Madrid showdown.
The remaining defensive options for Arsenal include William Saliba, Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Kieran Tierney. In a makeshift solution, Thomas Partey could also be deployed as a right-back if needed.
Injury List:
Gabriel Magalhães – Hamstring issue
Jurrien Timber – Knee injury
Ben White – Knee problem
Riccardo Calafiori – Knee injury
With crucial fixtures ahead, Arteta will be hoping for positive news from the medical team as Arsenal aims to keep their Champions League hopes alive against a formidable Real Madrid side.
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