Real Madrid could be in serious trouble if Antonio Rudiger is ruled out against Arsenal | OneFootball

Real Madrid could be dealt a significant blow ahead of their highly anticipated Champions League clash against Arsenal, with Antonio Rudiger’s availability hanging by a thread.

It is known that  UEFA is investigating the German defender’s behaviour following the celebrations at the Metropolitano Stadium after Real Madrid’s dramatic elimination of Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16.

While the verdict is expected to be delivered on Friday, the uncertainty surrounding Rudiger’s availability has already triggered concerns within Carlo Ancelotti’s camp.

A big problem for Real Madrid

The potential suspension comes at a particularly troublesome time for Real Madrid, given their current defensive crisis. Aurelien Tchouameni has already been ruled out of the Arsenal fixture due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

This leaves Ancelotti with a considerably weakened defensive line-up, consisting of Raul Asencio, David Alaba, and Jesus Vallejo.

While Asencio’s place in the starting line-up appears secure, the cases of Alaba and Vallejo are far more problematic. The Austrian defender, Alaba, has struggled to regain his best form since returning from injury.

Raul Asencio will be the only reliable centre-back in case of Rudger’s suspension. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

His performance against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-final leg raised several eyebrows, as he was directly involved in conceding two goals, highlighting his lack of sharpness and match fitness.

Meanwhile, Vallejo’s situation is even more concerning. The Spanish defender is clearly not part of Ancelotti’s immediate plans, having played just ten minutes throughout the entire season.

Entrusting him with a pivotal role against Arsenal would be nothing short of a gamble, especially in such a high-stakes encounter.

With Rudiger’s status uncertain, Real Madrid’s lack of depth in central defence could be brutally exposed by an in-form Arsenal side.

Ancelotti’s defensive setup has already been questioned in recent weeks, and the absence of his most reliable centre-back could spell disaster if UEFA’s ruling is unfavourable.

As the verdict looms, the Madrid giants find themselves anxiously waiting for clarity, knowing that a negative outcome could drastically alter their European ambitions.