Eight Arsenal Players Set to Miss UCL Quarter-Final Second Leg Against Real Madrid
As Arsenal gear up for one of the biggest matches in their recent history—the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against European juggernauts Real Madrid—there’s an air of both excitement and concern hovering over the North London camp. Having fought hard in the first leg to maintain a slim advantage, Mikel Arteta’s side now faces an uphill battle due not just to the weight of the occasion or the challenge posed by Real Madrid, but because of a crippling injury crisis that sees eight first-team players ruled out or heavily doubtful for the decisive clash.
With a place in the semi-finals on the line and the potential of reaching their first Champions League final since 2006, Arsenal’s chances have taken a significant blow. The absence of key names across all areas of the pitch has left fans and analysts alike wondering whether Arteta can conjure another tactical masterclass to outwit the most successful club in European football history.
Let’s break down who’s out, why, and what this means for Arsenal’s chances in Madrid.
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1. Bukayo Saka – Hamstring Injury
The first and arguably most devastating absence is that of Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s talisman and top performer in Europe this season. Saka limped off during the first leg after appearing to overstretch for a loose ball. Subsequent scans revealed a hamstring strain, and despite intensive rehabilitation, the club confirmed he won’t recover in time.
Saka’s absence is a monumental blow. His ability to beat defenders, create chances, and track back defensively is unmatched within the squad. He has been directly involved in more Champions League goals for Arsenal than any other player this season.
Impact: Without Saka, Arsenal lose not just their right-wing threat, but also the calm presence of a leader who thrives under pressure. His combination play with Ødegaard and Ben White has been key to their European success so far.
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2. Gabriel Magalhães – Groin Strain
Next on the list is Gabriel Magalhães, the Brazilian center-back who has been a rock in defense alongside William Saliba. Gabriel suffered a groin injury in Arsenal’s Premier League clash last weekend and has not been seen in training since.
This will be the first time the Gabriel-Saliba duo is broken up in a Champions League knockout game, and it comes at the worst possible moment. Gabriel’s aerial dominance and physicality would have been crucial against the likes of Jude Bellingham and Joselu.
Impact: His absence forces Arteta to either move Ben White centrally or rely on the inexperienced Jakub Kiwior or the veteran but often shaky Rob Holding.
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3. Jurrien Timber – Long-Term ACL Injury
Arsenal fans had high hopes for summer signing Jurrien Timber, who impressed during pre-season. However, a devastating ACL injury in the first Premier League game of the season has kept him sidelined for months.
While there was a sliver of hope he could be ready by April, the medical team has now ruled him out of any match action until May. The second leg comes too soon for Timber.
Impact: Timber’s versatility could have been vital in this high-pressure fixture. Able to play both full-back and center-back, his composure and technical ability would’ve added depth to a stretched backline.
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4. Thomas Partey – Muscle Fatigue and Lack of Match Fitness
Having returned recently from a long-term thigh injury, Thomas Partey has again suffered a setback—this time due to muscle fatigue and a lack of match sharpness. The Ghanaian midfielder has barely played competitive minutes in 2024 and hasn’t featured in any of the last three squads.
Arteta and the medical team are reportedly unwilling to take any risks, especially with Partey’s recurring injury record. He will not be part of the traveling squad.
Impact: Partey’s presence would have added defensive solidity and experience in midfield. His ability to break up play and transition quickly is unmatched in the squad. Arsenal must now rely heavily on Declan Rice, who has been playing an exhausting schedule.
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5. Leandro Trossard – Illness
Leandro Trossard, the super-sub and occasional starter who has delivered important goals all season, is reportedly suffering from a viral illness that has ruled him out of training for the last five days.
Though not injured per se, the severity of the illness and his lack of conditioning makes his inclusion for the Madrid trip highly unlikely.
Impact: Trossard has often changed games off the bench, and his absence weakens Arteta’s ability to rotate the front line mid-game. He offers flair, unpredictability, and is clinical in front of goal—key qualities needed in knockout ties.
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6. Takehiro Tomiyasu – Recurrent Calf Problems
Another versatile defender, Takehiro Tomiyasu has had his season blighted by repeated calf injuries. He returned briefly in March but broke down again after playing two games in quick succession. The medical team confirmed this latest injury will sideline him for at least two more weeks.
Impact: With injuries to other defenders, Tomiyasu’s absence compounds Arsenal’s defensive issues. His ability to shut down wide threats like Vinícius Júnior would’ve been invaluable.
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7. Emile Smith Rowe – Minor Knee Injury
Once considered the crown jewel of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, Emile Smith Rowe has endured another frustrating season. Just as he was building momentum with appearances off the bench, he picked up a minor knee injury in training last week.
Though not a major concern, Arteta is unlikely to risk him in a high-tempo, high-stakes Champions League fixture when he hasn’t had competitive minutes in weeks.
Impact: Smith Rowe’s creativity and late runs into the box would’ve been useful options late in the game. His technical quality suits European nights, but fitness continues to hamper his impact.
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8. Mohamed Elneny – Knee Management
Finally, Mohamed Elneny—Arsenal’s most senior squad member—has been ruled out as part of the club’s long-term management plan for his reconstructed knee. Though he has made some appearances in domestic cups, the Champions League intensity is deemed too risky.
Impact: While not a starter, Elneny brings calmness and experience. His absence matters more from a squad-depth perspective, especially with Partey also unavailable.
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What It Means for Arsenal’s Line-Up
With eight players out, Arsenal’s starting XI will need to be carefully constructed. Arteta’s usual depth has been stripped away, and tactical flexibility may be limited. Here’s what the Gunners’ likely lineup could look like:
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3):
GK: David Raya
RB: Ben White
CBs: William Saliba, Rob Holding
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko
CMs: Declan Rice, Jorginho, Martin Ødegaard
RW: Reiss Nelson
LW: Gabriel Martinelli
CF: Gabriel Jesus
On the bench, Arsenal will be calling upon academy talents like Ethan Nwaneri, Lino Sousa, and possibly Myles Lewis-Skelly. That’s a testament to how stretched the squad is.
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Real Madrid’s Reaction
For Real Madrid, the news of Arsenal’s growing injury list will no doubt be encouraging. Carlo Ancelotti’s men already have the home advantage, and with the Gunners’ squad depleted, they will smell blood.
Madrid’s experience in navigating European nights, combined with Arsenal’s inexperience at this level, becomes more significant when one side is missing nearly half of its first-team regulars.
Players like Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Luka Modrić will be eyeing the opportunity to exploit a weakened Arsenal spine.
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Mikel Arteta’s Challenge
Arteta has built this Arsenal team in his own image: organized, technically sharp, and mentally resilient. Now, more than ever, his leadership will be tested. He has to motivate a patched-up side to deliver the performance of a lifetime at the Santiago Bernabéu.
He may have to sacrifice attacking intent for defensive security. A back-five or a double pivot with Jorginho and Rice could be employed to stifle Madrid’s creativity. The emphasis will likely be on remaining compact, absorbing pressure, and looking to nick a goal through set-pieces or counterattacks.
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Fan Reactions and the Bigger Picture
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal fans have taken to social media with a mix of frustration and cautious optimism. Many have pointed to the team’s resilience this season, noting that they’ve overcome adversity before. Others worry this could be a bridge too far.
Regardless of the result, the club’s return to the latter stages of the Champions League after a long hiatus is a step forward. The long-term project under Arteta is still trending in the right direction, and even if Arsenal fall short in Madrid, the experience will be invaluable for the young squad.
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Conclusion
Eight players unavailable for such a crucial Champions League fixture is a nightmare scenario for any club—especially one still building toward elite European status. Arsenal’s depth, development, and mentality will be under the microscope when they take on Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.
But in football, stories are not written by favorites alone. Arsenal have the hunger, the spirit, and perhaps just enough tactical discipline to defy the odds—even if their squad list reads more like a medical report than a team sheet.
If they do pull it off, it’ll go down as one
of the most remarkable European nights in club history.
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