ARSENAL have been plunged into yet another injury crisis – just days before they face Real Madrid's superstar attack.
Gunners boss could be without for the first-leg tie at home to next week.
after just 16 minutes of Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over on Tuesday night with a worrying hamstring injury.
And right-back and joins full-backs and in the treatment room, who are both struggling with knee injuries.
The timing could not be worse, with Carlo Ancelotti's European Champions on the horizon.
Real Madrid come alive when the Champions League is on the line.
Vinicius Jr has started only two thirds of their La Liga games but he ALWAYS plays in Europe.
Along with Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo, it's a terrifying prospect, with coming through from midfield.
As Arteta moaned on Tuesday night: “We have lost four players in the defensive line in one week.
“You’re scratching your head. In the end, the players are going to react to it.
“You can’t start to feel sorry for yourself. The good thing is that it’s been like this the whole season. We still have another four that are willing to do their job.”;;
Should things stay as they are, the four to start against Madrid could be , , and midfielder at right-back.
Left-backs and will be available from the bench, while right-back will not return from a knee operation until late 2025.
It is not ideal, to say the least, especially when preparing to face one of the best and most exciting attacking line-ups on the planet right now.
Polish centre-back Kiwior, 25, has started just two Prem games this term and is a bag of nerves when given the chance, particularly if he has someone like Madrid’s to keep an eye on.
Meanwhile, Vinicius Jr. will be licking his lips if he gets to line up against a makeshift right-back in Partey for 90 minutes.
So, what exactly do Arsenal’s weakened defensive line need to look out for against Carlo Ancelotti’s Galacticos?
Tactics expert Lee Scott takes a closer look.
Overloading the left side of the pitch
The biggest question at the start the season for Madrid boss Ancelotti was how he would fit both Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. into the same starting line-up with both at their best from the left side of attack.
Even when Mbappe played through the middle he still showed a clear tendency to come outside and occupy spaces on the left.
Ancelotti appears to have solved this issue in the same way that he solves most issues on the pitch.
By letting the players find the solution for themselves throughout the game.
The Spanish side have often overloaded the left side of the pitch and it has been extremely effective for them in the this season.
With Vinicius Jr. on the left of the attack and Mbappe starting through the middle they are then supported by the likes of from the left-back position and from the midfield.
By overloading one side of the pitch in this manner we have seen Madrid create a number of opportunities for the likes of Vinicus Jr. to attack defenders in 1v1 situations.
The speed with which the attacking players combine in these positions on the left of the attack can be bewildering for defensive players.
Madrid consistently breaks through on this side of the pitch thanks to combinations or 1v1 skills from individual players.
and their coaching staff will have to take this threat into account when they meet in the quarter finals.
Isolating the right-hand side
In when you get a team with a clear tendency to overload one side of their attack there is, of course, a reaction on the other side.
The right-side of the attack for Real Madrid typically sees the star isolated on that side of the pitch.
When they overload the left side there is a natural reaction from opposition defences to slide across to try to counter the threat.
This means they cab quickly switch the ball to the opposite side of the pitch where Rodrygo is isolated and ready to attack.
There is an argument to be made that despite having Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. in attack, Rodrygo has actually been their most effective attacking player this season.
When Madrid attack in this way they tend to build with slower tempo and shorter passes as they build up their overload.
When they then change the tempo and quickly transfer the ball from left to right they create 1v1 opportunities for Rodrygo.
Whenever Rodrygo takes possession, his first instinct is to be aggressive and to go on the attack.
He is exceptionally dangerous in 1v1 situations and he can attack defenders down the outside or cut inside and drive in towards the opposition penalty area.
It is natural for World Cup winner Mbappe and runner-up Vinicius Jr. get a lot of attention from opposition defences.
But this just means Rodrygo can go under the radar despite being just as dangerous as his two more illustrious team-mates.
Aggressive defending
The attacking performances from Real Madrid take all of the headlines.
But their defensive performances in key matches this season have gone under the radar.
For all of the attacking qualities Madrid have, they have been very effective out of possession in denying the opposition clear chances.
Ex-Chelsea star has been one of the key figures in their Champions League campaign so far.
This was especially true in the round of 16 tie against .
The international routinely stepped out to defend with aggression and prevent Atletico from being able to create any real threat.
Rudiger has defended with positive aggression as he looks to be proactive against the ball in closing down the space between the midfield and the defensive line.
He is quick and his willingness to jump out of shape to defend in space allows the Madrid midfield to play higher.
With the attacking issues Arsenal currently face, with the midfielder Mikel Merino being used as a striker, defensive aggression from Madrid could be key when they meet.
The defensive strength of Madrid is often overlooked but it is possible this has had an even greater impact on their performances in the Champions League.
Rudiger is a monster defensively and he provides the defensive balance to the likes of Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo in the attacking unit for Real Madrid.
Conclusion
While Real Madrid are currently second in , three points behind their bitter rivals , they have still been excellent in the Champions League.
They have the attacking options to hurt teams from a number of different areas of the pitch and have defensive strength at the other end.
Can anyone stop them from winning another Champions League this season?
You wouldn't bet against them.
