Arsenal: Mikel Arteta confirms key double injury boost for Real Madrid showdown

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·15 avril 2025

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta confirms key double injury boost for Real Madrid showdown

Gunners bolstered for huge Champions League quarter-final second leg, though one player has stayed at home

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal duo Thomas Partey and Ben White are both fit to face Real Madrid, but Jorginho has not travelled.

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Partey and White had both been considered doubts for Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Partey having been taken off injured during the latter stages of Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Brentford and White having missed that game altogether with a knock.

However, both players were seen training at London Colney ahead of Arsenal’s flight to Spain on Tuesday morning, though Jorginho was absent having sustained a rib problem at the weekend and was not in the squad that travelled.

Asked for a team news update in his pre-match press conference in Madrid on Tuesday evening, Gunners boss Arteta said: “The positive one, Ben White managed to train with us today so he will be in the squad.”

Quizzed specifically on midfielders Partey and Jorginho, Arteta responded: “Yeah, he’s [Partey] available. He had a little niggle during the game [against Brentford], that’s why he had to come off. But he felt good after the last few days, so he’s fine.

“Jorgi unfortunately is not here. After the incident at the weekend, he hasn’t recovered so our thoughts are with him.”

Arsenal remain without first-choice defenders Gabriel (hamstring) and Riccardo Calafiori (knee) against Real Madrid, with Jakub Kiwior expected to deputise alongside William Saliba at centre-back once again.

White may have to make do with a place on the bench despite his return to fitness with Jurrien Timber likely to remain at right-back, with Myles Lewis-Skelly on the opposite side of defence.

In midfield, Partey is expected to start alongside captain Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, whose sublime brace of free-kicks in the first leg inspired Arsenal to a shock 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium last week.

Mikel Merino also scored in north London and is expected to lead the attack in Madrid, flanked by Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Leandro Trossard is another possible wide option if Arteta decides to switch things up.

Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu all remain long-term absentees for Arsenal, though Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling is available for selection after being suspended for the first leg.