'Significant' - Arsenal handed two new injury concerns ahead of Real Madrid as Premier League title hopes in shreds

Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes were dealt another major blow on Saturday evening as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners took the lead through Thomas Partey just after the hour mark but Thomas Frank’s side restored parity 13 minutes later as Yoane Wissa hooked the ball past David Raya with a clever finish.

The result leaves Arsenal 10 points behind Liverpool, who now need just three wins from their final seven games to secure the title. They face West Ham United, Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur before the month is out and could seal first spot before May. Arsenal already faced an uphill task to overhaul Liverpool’s lead but a victory for the Reds tomorrow could all-but end the title race.

The dropped points was not the only concern for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta from the game as the Gunners were handed two new injury concerns before and during their clash with Brentford.

Ben White and Jorginho Injury latest

Ben White was a surprise omission from the starting line-up against Brentford. Mikel Arteta had started Jurrien Timber against Real Madrid in midweek with White replacing him during the Champions League clash as the full-back picked up a knock.

Given that Timber came off injured against Madrid, Arteta was set to start White against Brentford. But he revealed the player sustained a fresh injury concern ahead of the game. Arteta said ahead of kick off: “Ben White couldn’t be in the squad because he felt something again post-training yesterday. So that limits the solutions we have because Jurrien wasn’t ready to start the game either.

“Other players as well played a lot of minutes and other players deserve to play minutes to help the team.”

Arsenal then finished the game against Brentford with 10 men as Jorginho was forced off late into the contest but with all the substitutes made, Arteta could not replace him. The Gunners boss said: "I don't know. He said he could not breathe properly so it might be to do with one of the ribs. It is strange because Jorgi normally carries on so that means it is something significant I think."

Who else will miss Arsenal’s trip to Real Madrid?

The good news for Arsenal on Saturday was the presence of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. Both players were withdrawn against Real Madrid in midweek with minor concerns but much to Arsenal’s relief they have proven to be nothing major.

Arsenal are set to be without Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz and Takehiro Tomiyasu in midweek as all four players are ruled out for the remainder of the season. Riccardo Calafiori is also poised to be absent after he was injured on international duty.

Asked if Saturday’s draw was impacted by thoughts of Wednesday night in Madrid, Arteta said: "Yes, an opportunity missed for sure because we wanted to win and increase our opportunities in the league. But we haven't managed to do that. We have to be critical with ourselves, especially with the way we conceded the goal.

"[Minds on Wednesday?] The way we did the game certainly not. The way the feeling was with the players, certainly not. To prepare well you have to play as well as possible and win the next game."