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Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid stars available for Arsenal clash after avoiding punishment
Arsenal have been dealt some bad news ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid. The Spanish giants have been sweating on the availability of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Dani Ceballos and Antonio Rudiger – but it has now been confirmed all four key Los Blancos stars will be available against the Gunners. Mbappe will be available to face Arsenal next weekGetty Arsenal fans were given a surprise boost with news of potential bans for four key Real Madrid players – but that hope has been proven falseGetty UEFA launched an investigation into the Real foursome’s alleged ‘indecent conduct’ during their last-16 win over arch rivals Atletico Madrid. However UEFA have decided not to issue any of the quartet with an immediate ban. Mbappe and Rudiger have been issued with a one-game UEFA ban, however this is not immediately enforced and is subject to a probationary period of one year. Rudiger has also been fined €40,000, while Mbappe and Ceballos have been fined €30,000 and €20,000, respectively. No disciplinary proceedings were opened against Vini Jr. UEFA appointed an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to inspect how the four players celebrated their penalty shootout win over Atletico. Among the incidents being looked at is a clip of Rudiger appearing to make a throat-cutting gesture towards the Atleti fans. Video clips on social media also appeared to show Mbappe grabbing his crotch during Real Madrid‘s celebrations. It came after Atletico reported the players’ conduct to UEFA. But while three of the four players have been sanctioned, their punishments will not impact their availability to take on Arsenal. Rudiger was in hot water for making a throat-cutting gesture to Atletico fansGetty Meanwhile Vini Jr has avoided punishment completelyGetty The first leg takes place on April 8 at the Emirates Stadium, with the second leg taking place at the Bernabeu on April 16. Real Madrid have also been boosted by the news that Thibaut Courtois is expected to be fit to face the Gunners. The Belgian goalkeeper has missed three of Los Blancos’ last five fixtures, including the two matches played since the international break. But with backup Andriy Lunin also struggling, Ancelotti is hopeful that Courtois will be fit to travel to London. Discussing his availability, Real Madrid head coach Ancelotti said on Friday: “Courtois is doing better, we think he can make Tuesday. “We have doubts about Lunin, who will have a test today and who has had a slight discomfort. Few will give the injury-hit Gunners much of a shot at beating Real Madrid – particularly after key centre-back Gabriel was ruled out for the rest of the seasonGetty “If he’s not well, we have total confidence in Fran. The only problem with him is that he’s young, but that’s happened to everyone. I “f his time comes tomorrow, we will be very happy for him because we are all convinced that he will be a great goalkeeper.” Arsenal will be hoping to conquer Real Madrid in order to continue their pursuit of silverware this season. Eliminated from the FA Cup and with Liverpool running away with the Premier League, the Champions League is the last genuine chance for Arsenal to claim a major trophy. Speaking on Inside Gooners, Perry Groves believes that being without the injured Gabriel Magalhaes reduces their hopes of winning the game. He told talkSPORT: “We all know about this Real Madrid’s attacking talent, but this team concedes goals. “You only have to look at the match with Real Sociedad where they conceded four. “I’ve got a lot of mates who live in Spain and before Gabriel got injured the Spanish journalists thought this was a 50-50 tie. “But without Gabriel, I think we go down to a 25 or 30 per cent chance of beating Real Madrid.”
Arsenal have been dealt some bad news ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants have been sweating on the availability of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Dani Ceballos and Antonio Rudiger – but it has now been confirmed all four key Los Blancos stars will be available against the Gunners.
UEFA launched an investigation into the Real foursome’s alleged ‘indecent conduct’ during their last-16 win over arch rivals Atletico Madrid.
However UEFA have decided not to issue any of the quartet with an immediate ban.
Mbappe and Rudiger have been issued with a one-game UEFA ban, however this is not immediately enforced and is subject to a probationary period of one year.
Rudiger has also been fined €40,000, while Mbappe and Ceballos have been fined €30,000 and €20,000, respectively.
No disciplinary proceedings were opened against Vini Jr.
UEFA appointed an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to inspect how the four players celebrated their penalty shootout win over Atletico.
Among the incidents being looked at is a clip of Rudiger appearing to make a throat-cutting gesture towards the Atleti fans.
Video clips on social media also appeared to show Mbappe grabbing his crotch during Real Madrid‘s celebrations.
It came after Atletico reported the players’ conduct to UEFA.
But while three of the four players have been sanctioned, their punishments will not impact their availability to take on Arsenal.
The first leg takes place on April 8 at the Emirates Stadium, with the second leg taking place at the Bernabeu on April 16.
Real Madrid have also been boosted by the news that Thibaut Courtois is expected to be fit to face the Gunners.
The Belgian goalkeeper has missed three of Los Blancos’ last five fixtures, including the two matches played since the international break.
But with backup Andriy Lunin also struggling, Ancelotti is hopeful that Courtois will be fit to travel to London.
Discussing his availability, Real Madrid head coach Ancelotti said on Friday: “Courtois is doing better, we think he can make Tuesday.
“We have doubts about Lunin, who will have a test today and who has had a slight discomfort.
“If he’s not well, we have total confidence in Fran. The only problem with him is that he’s young, but that’s happened to everyone. I
“f his time comes tomorrow, we will be very happy for him because we are all convinced that he will be a great goalkeeper.”
Arsenal will be hoping to conquer Real Madrid in order to continue their pursuit of silverware this season.
Eliminated from the FA Cup and with Liverpool running away with the Premier League, the Champions League is the last genuine chance for Arsenal to claim a major trophy.
Speaking on Inside Gooners, Perry Groves believes that being without the injured Gabriel Magalhaes reduces their hopes of winning the game.
He told talkSPORT: “We all know about this Real Madrid’s attacking talent, but this team concedes goals.
“You only have to look at the match with Real Sociedad where they conceded four.
“I’ve got a lot of mates who live in Spain and before Gabriel got injured the Spanish journalists thought this was a 50-50 tie.
“But without Gabriel, I think we go down to a 25 or 30 per cent chance of beating Real Madrid.”
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