Suspension Fears Loom: Declan Rice and Two Arsenal Stars at Risk Ahead of Real Madrid Clash
As Arsenal prepares for their Champions League quarter-final showdown against Real Madrid, Mikel Arteta may have to navigate the second leg without three crucial players. Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli, and Jurrien Timber are all one yellow card away from suspension—a major concern with the return fixture in Spain just around the corner.
The Gunners welcome Madrid to the Emirates Stadium for the first leg tonight, but injury troubles have already stretched the squad thin. Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Riccardo Calafiori are all currently sidelined. Among them, Calafiori stands out as the only player with a realistic shot at returning in time for the second leg.
The potential absence of Rice, Martinelli, or Timber due to suspension would be a huge blow, especially as Arteta looks to field his strongest lineup in a high-stakes tie. Fortunately, UEFA’s rules mean yellow card tallies reset after the quarter-finals—meaning players just need to avoid another booking tonight to stay safe.
Real Madrid isn’t without its own worries. Aurelien Tchouameni is already ruled out due to suspension after collecting three yellow cards. Meanwhile, key players like Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Jr, Luka Modric, Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Vasquez, and incoming youngster Endrick are all one caution away from sitting out the second leg.
Add to that Madrid’s growing injury list—Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, and Ferland Mendy are already sidelined—and the potential suspension of Rudiger could leave manager Carlo Ancelotti without his entire first-choice defense.
There’s at least some good news for Los Blancos: goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois appears ready for a return. After missing recent games due to injury, the Belgian shot-stopper declared himself “100 per cent” fit and available, though it’s up to Ancelotti to decide if he starts.
With both sides walking a disciplinary tightrope, tonight’s clash at the Emirates promises to be as tense off the ball as it is on it.