Two Real Madrid fitness boosts confirmed for Arsenal clash as players spotted boarding flight

Real Madrid will have two injured players back for their Champions League quarter-final clash with Arsenal on Tuesday night. Los Blancos have already set off from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, headed for London, where they will train this evening ahead of their date with the Gunners.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men beat Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16, requiring penalties to see off their city rivals, but over the weekend, they suffered a shock home defeat to Valencia, conceding a winner deep into stoppage time.

Barcelona only drew themselves, but Real Madrid are now four points behind the league-leaders as they turn their attention back to the Champions League and attempting to retain the title they have dominated over recent years.

The first leg takes place at the Emirates Stadium, while the second is in the Spanish capital next week, and it will be an interesting chess match in the first leg, although Real Madrid will surely be favourites given Arsenal are not only without a fit striker, but they have also lost key centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes for the season.

Real Madrid will be without Aurelien Tchouameni, who is suspended for one game after reaching his Champions League yellow card limit, but there is better news for the Spaniards. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was spotted stepping aboard the plane - with Real Madrid posting a video to their X channel - after missing out over the weekend with injury, while back-up keeper Andriu Lunin was also spotted boarding the flight having missed out over the weekend with a minor issue.

Los Blancos had to rely on Castilla keeper Fran Gonzalez for the Valencia game, but to his credit, neither of the Valencia goals were his fault, with the winner an unstoppable close-range header. Still, starting keeper Courtois is worth several extra points per season based on his ability, and Ancelotti will be delighted to have him back for such a big game.

Ancelotti said Courtois was the best goalkeeper he has coached and the best in the world when speaking about the Belgian in September. He said: “I can make a list [of great goalkeepers I have coached]. He is the best in the world now, but I have had goalkeepers of great level. At the moment, Thibaut is the best of all.”

Arteta on Real Madrid

Speaking ahead of the game, Arteta said when asked about Real Madrid’s likely XI: “There are things we cannot control. We don’t know what they will do or who they will play. We have to concentrate in the direction of what we want from the game.”

On Real Madrid generally, the Spaniard added: “It’s the history, I know what they have won. But we can’t concentrate on them. We have to focus on what we want to do.”

Arteta was, however, more forthcoming on Ancelotti, adding: “He is an inspiration for me. He has been able to win everything in many countries, and always looking relaxed in a profession where there is so much pressure, and it’s so difficult. You only have to listen to what players say about him to understand his stature.”

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