Mikel Arteta has revealed Ben White, Thomas Partey and Jorginho are doubts for Arsenal’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.
The Gunners won the first leg at the Emirates 3-0 to put one foot into the semi-final.
However, Madrid cannot be discounted in the Bernabeu on a Champions League night.
They may have to face that unenviable battle with a weakened squad.
Prior to Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Brentford, White suffered an unknown injury in training which ruled him out.
Speaking before the Premier League fixture, Arteta said: “Ben White couldn’t be in the squad because he felt something again post-training yesterday, so that limits the solutions we have because Jurrien wasn’t ready to start the game either.”
Unfortunately that was not the end of Arteta’s injury worries as Partey was substituted in the 69th minute for Jurrien Timber.
Eight minutes after he scored the opener after a counter led by Declan Rice.
“He felt something so we didn’t want to take any risks,” said the manager. “I haven’t spoken to the doctors yet, so they will check in now and see how he is.”
Jorginho also came off due to a rib injury which caused ‘problems breathing’.
The Gunners have dealt with an injury ridden season, seeing the likes of Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard missing considerable time.
Currently Arsenal have eight players missing, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes out till the end of the season.
Their limitations derailed their title hopes with Liverpool possibly claiming victory next weekend if they beat West Ham and Arsenal lose to Ipswich Town.
In contrast, Arsenal’s Champions League campaign has exceeded expectations.
They smashed three past Real at the Emirates thanks to a man of the match performance by Rice, scoring two splendid free kicks.
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit praised Arsenal’s change in mentality that has allowed them to stamp their name as one of the best in Europe, a group the north London club has rarely entered.
But going to the Bernabeu, Arteta remains level headed as he said they will ‘have to be even better in Madrid to go through’.
Arteta’s side may have to withstand a potential onslaught from Real but it seems like a semi-final tie against PSG or Aston Villa awaits the Gunners.
PSG currently lead the tie 3-1 with the second leg hosted at Villa Park.
That would be only the third time Arsenal have reached the Champions League semi-finals.
The two times prior was in 2006 against Villarreal, winning 2-0 on aggregate to progress to the finals and 2009, when they lost 4-1 on aggregate to Manchester United.
