Ahead of their crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, Arsenal received a major boost with the return to fitness of two key players.
The Gunners are heading to Madrid in a commanding position, having secured a 3-0 victory in the first leg at the Emirates.
Focus on Defending Their Advantage
Mikel Arteta’s squad will be eager to ensure they hold their ground and avoid a Real Madrid comeback on Wednesday.
The 15-time European champions will be fighting to stay in the competition and keep their title defence alive, making for a tense second leg.
Defensive Reinforcements for Arteta
Arsenal’s defensive options have received a lift with the return of Ben White, who was spotted training at London Colney on Tuesday.
White missed the weekend’s Premier League draw against Brentford after experiencing discomfort during Friday’s training session.
While Arteta did not take any chances with his fitness at that time, it’s unclear whether this issue is related to the knee injury that had kept him out for 25 games earlier this season.
White’s most recent appearance came as a 90th-minute substitute in the 3-0 win over Madrid, replacing Jurrien Timber after the Dutch defender suffered an injury.
The defender’s presence at training suggests he may be fit for the next leg, which would be a crucial asset to Arteta’s defensive line.
Partey Also Set to Travel
Alongside White, midfielder Thomas Partey also joined training and appears to be ready for the upcoming match.
Partey, who scored the opening goal for Arsenal in the first leg, had been a doubt after picking up a knock against Brentford.
The 31-year-old was substituted in the 69th minute of that game, with Arteta noting that he “felt something” during the match.
However, it seems that Partey is set to make the trip to Madrid, adding further depth to Arteta’s midfield.
Missing Players and Semifinal Prospects
While the return of White and Partey is a significant boost, Arsenal will still be without several long-term absentees, including Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, and Kai Havertz.
Despite this, the Gunners are hopeful of holding onto their advantage.
If Arsenal can fend off Real Madrid’s efforts to mount a comeback, they will face the winners of the tie between Aston Villa and PSG in the semi-finals.
PSG currently hold a 3-1 lead from the first leg and will look to complete the job at Villa Park on Tuesday night.
What Lies Ahead?
With the second leg against Real Madrid set to be a pivotal moment, all eyes will be on Arsenal as they look to seal their place in the Champions League semi-finals.