Arsenal are set to face Real Madrid in the Champions League, and they may be handed a significant advantage ahead of the clash.
The Gunners have all their eggs in the European basket after falling 12 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League.
However, Mikel Arteta’s men suffered a huge set-back after Gabriel Magalhaes went down injured against Fulham on Tuesday night.
The Brazilian isn’t expected to feature in at least the first leg against Los Blancos, although Carlo Ancelotti may now be set to lose one of his key players for the showdown at the Emirates.
Real Madrid fear Antonio Rudiger will be banned for Arsenal clash
Four Real Madrid players are under investigation by UEFA for their antics in the Spanish giants’ tie against Atletico Madrid in March.
Dani Ceballos, Antonio Rudiger, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are all in danger of being fined or banned for ‘indecent conduct’.
The UEFA disciplinary committee will issue their verdict on the matter on Friday.
Spanish publication Marca report that La Casa Blanca are fearful that Rudiger will face a ban that would see him miss the first leg at the Emirates against Arsenal.
The outlet indicates that the other players will most likely receive a fine and potentially a suspended one-match ban, which would be contingent on their behaviour over the next 12 months.
All four players were alleged to have prompted objects to be thrown onto the Metropolitano pitch by their provocative actions, while Rudiger’s gesture was deemed the most threatening.
How Real Madrid could set-up without Rudiger against Arsenal
With Eder Militao out injured and David Alaba no longer seen as a trusted option by Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s back-line is in trouble without Rudiger.
The German is the impenetrable glue in Ancelotti’s defence, and without him, they’ll likely move Aurelien Tchouameni into the back four.
This will impact Real Madrid’s midfield, with a 39-year-old Luka Modric the likely replacement for Tchouameni.
Modric is still an elite passer, but no longer has the physical prowess to compete at the top level and may struggle against the imperious Declan Rice.
Alternatively, Ancelotti may opt to move Federico Valverde back into midfield, and deploy Lucas Vasquez at right-back.
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