Only a few days remain until Real Madrid travel to Emirates Stadium to face English giants Arsenal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match. The game will definitely be one of the most challenging of the season for both the visiting team and the hosts.
Another reason it will be difficult is that both teams will be without a number of key players due to injury or suspension in the first leg. Mikel Arteta's team is without Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Takehiro Tomiyasu due to long-term injuries and are unlikely to play the second leg as well.
Carlo Ancelotti's two major names on the sidelines are Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are out for the long term. And Aurelien Tchouameni will stand out, suspended.
3 main Arsenal players fear suspension in second leg against Real Madrid
Mikel Arteta is already without many of his key players for the opening leg against Los Blancos. However, if three Arsenal players receive yellow cards in the encounter at the Emirates, they will be suspended for the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, according to UEFA regulations.
Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli, and Jurrien Timber are the three players who have already received two yellow cards in the Champions League season; if they receive a third, they will be unavailable for selection when the club visits Madrid. By the way, Raheem Sterling has already received three yellow cards and will be unable to play in the first leg.
Carlo Ancelotti's decision to capitalize on Arsenal's difficult condition and try to win the game as soon as possible must have been significant. The Italian manager must strive to bring a confident aggregate score to the Santiago Bernabeu, which they should be able to defend comfortably.
Ancelotti, too, has a list of four players who might miss the second game if they receive a yellow card at Emirates.