Arsenal Face Champions League Suspension Risk in Crucial Real Madrid Return Leg

Arsenal secured a very much needed 3-0 advantage ahead of their return leg clash against Real Madrid. (Credit: Imago)

Arsenal Face Champions League Suspension Risk in Crucial Real Madrid Return Leg

Stephen Awino 08:09 - 11.04.2025

Arsenal take a crucial 3-0 lead with them to the Spanish capital to face off against Real Madrid but the Gunners risk losing key players in that clash.

UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-finalists, Arsenal risk losing key players for their first-leg semi-final clash if they manage to get past Real Madrid.

The Gunners gave a good account of themselves on Tuesday to secure a crucial 3-0 win in their first-leg encounter at the Emirates.

A Declan Rice free-kick brace and a Mikel Merino strike made sure Mikel Arteta's men took a much-needed advantage to the Santiago Bernabeu on April 16 for the return leg.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News from Pulse Sports.

Why Arsenal risk losing key players?

Declan Rice opened the scoring for Arsenal with a stunning free-kick goal in the 58th minute. (Credit: IMAGO)

However, in that fixture, the Gunners were already facing the risk of missing key players ahead of the return-leg clash due to yellow card accumulation.

According to Football London, the trio of Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli, and Jurrien Timber were all on the verge of a one-match suspension, having accumulated two yellow cards each.

A third yellow card for any of the players would have seen them miss the return leg against Madrid on Wednesday, but they got through the match unscathed, with midfielder Thomas Partey being the only player booked.

However, this presents a fresh headache for Mikel Arteta, who now not only has to manage getting past the 15-time European champions but do so without losing his key players in the process.

Partey now joins Rice, Martinelli, and Timber as one of four players a booking away from missing the first leg of their semi-final clash against either Aston Villa or PSG.

With one foot in the semi-finals, the Gunners will hope to get past Carlo Ancelotti and his men unscathed and have all their firepower at their disposal for the next stage if they get through.