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Opinion
Great news for Arsenal as Real Madrid’s Man of the Match vs Alaves can’t play in the second leg
Mikel Arteta will be hoping that Arsenal can replicate their incredible performance against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Real Madrid will not make life easy for Arsenal — as their pride has been hurt after losing 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium and they will be desperate to stage a comeback and reach the semi-finals.
Carlo Ancelotti could be sacked as his Los Merengues side are four points adrift of Barcelona at the top of La Liga and winning either the Spanish top-flight or the Champions League every season seems to be the expected standard at the club — making the upcoming clash all the more important for him and his side.
Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos is eager to face Arsenal and expects a fantastic atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu as the hosts are aiming to make the impossible possible on Wednesday.
Unlike Arsenal, Real Madrid won their game on the weekend by beating Alaves 1-0 as Eduardo Camavinga’s one and only goal was enough to grant them a much-needed victory.
Eduardo Camavinga starred v Alaves but Real Madrid gem is ruled out of Arsenal clash
The good news for Arsenal is that Camavinga, who impressed for Real Madrid against Alaves has been ruled out of the second leg due to being sent off at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsene Wenger has lauded Camavinga’s talent and against Arsenal in the first leg, he looked like the only Real Madrid midfielder who could depart the pitch with his head held high — winning duels, taking responsibility by receiving the ball in the first phase and trying his hardest at all times.
But the nature of the result seemed to have frustrated the Frenchman to the point that he needlessly got sent off and cannot feature in the second leg — with the former Rennes technician’s suspension already confirmed after picking up his first yellow card.
But against Alaves, Eduardo Camavinga starred, winning La Liga’s official Man of the Match award in the process as he made the most interceptions (three) and successful dribbles (three) while also winning the most duels (13) during the contest.
Camavinga showcased against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League last-16 clash that both in and out of possession, he can be impossible to handle and considering how seasoned is in Europe, Arsenal should be relieved that he is set to miss the much-awaited showdown.
Declan Rice shone against Real Madrid and while the Englishman showed he can go toe-to-toe with any midfielder in Europe, the two-time Champions League winner is as complete as they come and his absence severely weakens Los Blancos in the middle of the park.
Taking into account how crucial Camavinga has been for Real Madrid in Europe’s elite competition, whether that is against Borussia Dortmund in the final last season or against Manchester City in the semi-final during the 2021/2022 campaign, his absence is incredible news for Arsenal — with his potential replacement in Aurelien Tchouameni not being at his brilliant best currently.
Can Kylian Mbappe play for Real Madrid vs Arsenal after red card against Alaves?
But a question Arsenal fans worldwide will be asking is whether Camavinga’s French teammate Kylian Mbappe is eligible to play in Real Madrid’s next game, considering he was red carded against Alaves.
The answer is Mbappe is eligible to play against Arsenal as he was sent off in La Liga, a competition that is not affiliated with UEFA and as a result, the Champions League.
Mbappe struggled against Arsenal at the Emirates and he will be determined to right his wrongs, especially after his latest sending off against the Gunners.