Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has struggled to keep his players fit this season. Most of it is just bad luck, but Ancelotti's men have had a lot of fitness issues in various positions.
Their newest setback was in goal, where Andriy Lunin got injured in Real Madrid's 4-4 draw with Real Sociedad on Tuesday night.
He is now a doubt for the match against Valencia, which means Castilla goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez could make his debut.
Real Madrid's main goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is unavailable for the fixture, but in the press conference, Ancelotti offered some positive injury update to the player for their match against Arsenal on Tuesday.
Ancelotti thinks Courtois will be back for Arsenal vs Real Madrid
He said: "Courtois is much better, we think he can make it on Tuesday. We have doubts about Lunin, who had a slight discomfort. If he is not well, I have total confidence in Fran.”
There is good news and bad news in that sentence. Obviously, Real Madrid may struggle with Fran Gonzalez in goal - as good as he has been for Castilla - but the good news is that Real Madrid will have the best goalkeeper in the world fit and ready for the Arsenal match on Tuesday.
Courtois has not played for Real Madrid since he suffered an injury in the most recent international break, when he played against his Real Madrid counterpart Lunin in a UEFA Nations League playoff round.
He missed the game against Leganes, as well as the Copa Del Rey semifinal against Real Sociedad. Of course, the Belgian keeper will be out for one more game but hopefully, when the most crucial match of the season so far comes around, he will be fit.
Real Madrid struggled in his absence, as they conceded six goals in just three games. Lunin got nutmegged twice, and could have done a lot better dealing with the cross for Real Sociedad's fourth of the night.
Courtois offers much more security being the best keeper on the planet, and he will be tested against Arsenal, if he plays.