Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that key midfield trio Ben White, Thomas Partey, and Jorginho are all injury concerns ahead of the Gunners� crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernab�u.
Despite holding a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, the Spanish boss may be forced to navigate the return leg with a heavily depleted squad�raising fresh concerns about his side�s depth and fitness heading into one of their biggest matches of the season.
White was a surprise absentee from Arsenal�s 1-1 Premier League draw with Brentford over the weekend, having reportedly sustained a knock during training late in the week. While the issue was not initially considered serious, Arteta confirmed post-match that the club opted to err on the side of caution, leaving the defender out of the matchday squad altogether.
Adding to Arsenal�s growing injury list, Thomas Partey and Jorginho were both forced to leave the field during the Brentford encounter. Partey, who only recently returned from a long-term layoff, was substituted due to a recurrence of discomfort that the medical team is now monitoring closely. Jorginho, on the other hand, was withdrawn after sustaining a rib injury that impacted his breathing�an alarming situation that raised immediate concern among the coaching and medical staff.
�We didn�t want to take any risks with them,� Arteta told reporters after the match. �We�ll have to assess both Thomas and Jorginho over the next 48 hours. We�ll see how they respond to treatment and what the doctors say before making a decision about Madrid.�
The trio�s uncertain status adds to an already worrying injury crisis for Arsenal, who are currently without the services of several first-team regulars. Bukayo Saka, Martin �degaard, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz all remain sidelined, although Arteta offered no updates on their potential return dates. The timing couldn�t be worse, as the Gunners find themselves at a critical juncture both in Europe and domestically.
In the Premier League, Arsenal�s title hopes have been dented in recent weeks by a dip in form and the growing injury toll. A string of dropped points has allowed Liverpool to edge ahead in the title race, and with just a handful of matches remaining, Arteta�s side now faces an uphill battle to reclaim top spot.
However, Arsenal�s Champions League form has been a source of optimism for supporters. The Gunners delivered a near-flawless performance in the first leg against Real Madrid, dismantling the Spanish giants with a 3-0 victory on home soil. Declan Rice was the standout performer on the night, scoring twice and dominating the midfield alongside Jorginho. The result has left the north London club on the verge of reaching the Champions League semi-finals for just the third time in their history, and the first since the 2008�09 season.
Despite the commanding lead, Arteta remains wary of the threat posed by Madrid, particularly at the Bernab�u�a stadium that has seen countless famous comebacks over the years.
�It was a fantastic result at home, but we know the tie isn�t over,� Arteta said. �Real Madrid is a team with incredible quality and experience. We�ll need to be even better than we were at the Emirates if we want to go through. The margin for error is very small in matches like this.�
The Gunners will also be closely monitoring developments from the other quarter-final tie between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, with the winner of Arsenal�s clash set to face either side in the semi-finals.
With a place in the last four of Europe�s elite competition within touching distance, Arsenal�s depth and resilience will be put to the test. As fans nervously await fitness updates, all eyes turn to the Spanish capital, where Arteta�s men will look to finish the job�and take one step closer to continental glory.
