How Real Madrid could line-up against Arsenal in Champions League without four banned players, including Kylian Mbappe replacement

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal host Real Madrid at the Emirates in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in just under two weeks.

Mikel Arteta’s side’s chances of winning the Premier League are all but gone, and thus, the Gunners will have full focus on overcoming Los Blancos.

The Spanish side have an embarrassment of riches to select from, and Arsenal will have to make sure they’re ready to deal with the threat that Carlo Ancelotti’s attacking players pose.

However, the Italian’s options may be somewhat depleted, as four Real Madrid players are under investigation for displaying ‘indecent conduct’ during their victory over Atletico Madrid in the last round, and could face a retrospective ban that would see them miss the trip to the Emirates.

With that in mind, here’s how Real Madrid might line up if Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Ceballos are all unavailable.

• READ MORE: What Arsenal star has done behind-the-scenes over the international break spells good news for Mikel Arteta

How Real Madrid could line up against Arsenal without four banned stars

Arsenal are likely to have their best attacking player Bukayo Saka available, while Real Madrid could be without their two most potent offensive forces.

Vinicius and Mbappe both being out would be hugely detrimental to the La Liga giants, and Ancelotti would be forced to summon a different set-up without these stars.

Most likely, Brazilian youngster Endrick would come in and start down the middle, with the 18-year-old forward the typical deputy for Mbappe when the Frenchman has been unavailable this season.

While a promising prospect, the starlet offers nowhere the productivity levels that William Saliba’s international teammate does.

Replacing Vinicius on the left would likely be Brahim Diaz, who has been Real’s most frequently used attacking player outside of the starting three.

Completing the front line will likely be Rodrygo on the right, meaning no place for Arsenal transfer target Arda Guler.

A symptom of Antonio Rudiger’s absence would be a weaker midfield for La Casa Blanca, with Aurelien Tchouameni likely dropping into the backline to cover for the German.

This is how Ancelotti coped without Rudiger against Manchester City, with the veteran coach seemingly no longer trusting David Alaba, while Eder Militao is sidelined with an ACL injury.

Filling in for Tchouameni in midfield would be a 39-year-old Luka Modric, who can still pass but can no longer run.

Modric would partner Eduardo Camavinga in midfield, with Jude Bellingham in front of them.

Meanwhile, both Ferland Mendy and Thibaut Courtois are currently doubts with injury problems, with both players expected back in ‘early April’.

Arsenal can beat this Real Madrid team

Arsenal are set up for Champions League glory, boasting the best defensive record in the League Phase of the competition.

The Gunners conceded just one open-play goal before the knockout stages, whilst conceding the fewest expected goals.

Mbappe and Vinicius have the potential to threaten Arsenal’s stable defence, but without the duo, Arteta’s team are capable of negating Madrid’s potential replacement front three.

Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly can lock down Diaz and Rodrygo respectively, while Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes should be able to physically dominate a raw and inexperienced Endrick.

With the defensive side of the game sorted, it’ll just be about how Arsenal can damage Real Madrid and score the requisite number of goals to take them through.

With Saka back and up against a makeshift Real back four, it’s certainly looking promising.