Mikel Arteta provides triple injury update ahead of Real Madrid v Arsenal clash
The Gunners have been sweating over the fitness of three key stars.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has confirmed both Thomas Partey and Ben White are available to face Real Madrid, but Jorginho has been ruled out of the Champions League quarter-final second leg.
Arteta may have been regretting his team selection following Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Brentford after he was left sweating over the fitness of his two most experienced central midfielders.
Partey was forced off with a minor knock just moments after opening the scoring at the Emirates, while Jorginho sustained a chest injury as Arsenal fell further behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
The Arsenal manager’s engine room options had already been limited given Mikel Merino has been used as an emergency striker since January following the season-ending injuries sustained by Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Facing the media this evening, Arteta said his ‘thoughts were with’ Jorginho as he confirmed the Italy international would play no part at the Bernabeu.
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However, it was good news regarding White and Partey, who have travelled to the Spanish capital and could be in line to feature against the reigning European champions.
‘The positive one is that Ben White managed to train with us and he will be in the squad,’ Arteta told reporters at his pre-match press conference.
Asked for an update on Partey and Jorginho, Arteta replied: ‘Yeah, he is available.
‘He had a little niggle during the game and that’s why he had to come off, but he felt good after the last few days so he’s fine.’
‘Jorginho, unfortunately he’s not here after the incident of the weekend.
‘He hasn’t recovered so our thoughts are with him.’
Arsenal are hopeful that Jorginho be involved again this term but there is a distinct possibility that the 33-year-old may have played his last game for the club with his contract due to expire in June.
Partey’s return to full fitness will come as a huge relief to Arteta, though, with the Gunners looking to reach what would be only the third Champions League semi-final in their history.
‘I think we’ve experienced this many times when we play here and I think it’s not going to be something different,’ he said.
‘We just have to be confident with the ball and try to play our game.
‘We all know what we have to do. We have to go there with the mentality to win. We want to win every game.
‘And I think we have to play our game, be confident with the ball and also try to find our weaknesses and keep attacking them.’
Those sentiments were echoed by Jakub Kiwior, who has so far deputised superbly for the injured Gabriel Magalhaes and kept Kylian Mbappe quiet at the Emirates a week ago.
‘I didn’t feel nervous,’ said the Poland international after he was drafted into the starting line-up.
‘Of course, this was one of the biggest games in my career. But of course, I had the big game [against Kylian Mbappe] in the national team, but I was ready for everything, and I felt very good before the game.
‘Every clean sheet is perfect for me, because this is my job on the pitch. Mbappe is very quick, he’s a very good player, one of the best strikers for this moment.
‘I have to be ready for everything. Of course Gabi could’ve played this game but he’s injured, and I have to be ready for everything. I didn’t wait for this moment, but I hope he comes back very quick and we can train together fighting for the one position.’
