Arsenal is facing a significant defensive crisis ahead of their upcoming Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that both Gabriel Magalhães and Jurrien Timber sustained injuries during the team’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Fulham. Gabriel suffered a hamstring issue, while Timber experienced a knee problem.
This exacerbates Arsenal’s defensive woes, as they are already dealing with the long-term absences of Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White, both sidelined with knee injuries. Arteta expressed concern over the mounting injuries, stating that the team has now lost four defenders in a week. He praised the squad’s resilience but acknowledged the challenges posed by these setbacks.
With these defensive challenges, Arteta may need to consider unconventional options for the upcoming match, such as deploying midfielder Thomas Partey as a right-back or adjusting the formation to accommodate the available defenders. The situation is further complicated by Real Madrid’s formidable attacking lineup, including Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr.
