Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of midfield duo Thomas Partey and Jorginho heading into their Champions League clash with Real Madrid in the second leg of their quarter-final.
The Gunners go to the Bernabeu off the back of a disappointing result in the Premier League, drawing 1-1 with Brentford at the Emirates Stadium over the weekend.
The focus is very firmly on Arsenal travelling to Madrid, though, taking a huge advantage with them into the second leg.
Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg, putting them as the favourites to go through to the final four of the Champions League.
An upset could be on the cards if they aren’t careful, while there have been some blows on the injury front.
Thomas Partey and Jorginho are injury concerns, with the pair suffering problems against Brentford and requiring substitutions.
The Arsenal duo are now facing a race against the clock to be fit for the clash in the week ahead.
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Charles Watts gives an update on Thomas Partey and Jorginho injuries before Real Madrid
With such a huge clash against Real Madrid around the corner, Arsenal will be looking to get the players fit and firing for the occasion.
Thomas Partey is a key problem, having picked up a potential muscular issue against Brentford, forcing a substitution from Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal journalist Charles Watts has given some insight into the midfielder’s injury extent, claiming on YouTube: “From my understanding, and it is very, very early days, mind you, so I’m always a little bit reluctant to go too strong on it.
“But my understanding initially is it’s precaution and there isn’t too much concern that it’s going to affect him playing against Real Madrid in midweek… My understanding of the very initial prognosis of why Thomas Partey went off is that he felt something a little bit worrying and they didn’t want to take any chances, he didn’t want to take any chances.”
As for Jorginho, there is a bit more concern due to the way he landed during an attempt to win the ball, with the midfield star struggling to breathe and forcing a substitution.
On that, Watts added: “It looks a lot worse for Jorginho. He was struggling to breathe, and it was a really bad landing for him.
“He tried to run it off, but you could see he was in a lot of pain.”
It certainly suggests a return could be on the cards for Partey, while concern remains over Jorginho for the week ahead.
Potential replacements for Jorginho in Real Madrid vs Arsenal
With Jorginho set to face a potential absence from the Real Madrid clash, there is likely to be some space in the squad left to fill.
Mikel Arteta will have plenty of Arsenal stars to choose from, with a few able to come in and replace the Italian international.
Raheem Sterling’s return from suspension opens up a place back in the squad to take on Los Blancos on Wednesday.
If another midfielder is required, then Jimi Gower could feature from the Arsenal academy, alongside Jack Henry-Francis.
It remains to be seen who Arteta may choose, but he will have a big decision to make over his midfield if injuries turn out for the worst.
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