*April 13, 2025 | By Nathinab07@gmail.com*
Arsenal’s preparations for their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid have been hit with injury concerns, as both Thomas Partey and Jorginho sustained knocks during the 1-1 draw with Brentford.
Manager Mikel Arteta shared after Saturday’s game that the midfield duo could miss Wednesday’s crucial clash at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Arsenal look to hold onto their 3-0 lead from the first leg.
Ben White is already a doubt due to injury, and now Partey and Jorginho have joined the growing list of concerns.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Arteta said,
“We didn’t anticipate Thomas picking up an issue, but we had to take him off. Then with Jorginho, it was unexpected as well — we ended up finishing the match with ten men.”
He explained that Partey experienced some discomfort and was withdrawn to avoid further risk.
When asked about the extent of the injury, Arteta replied, “We’re not sure yet. I haven’t spoken to the medical staff — they’ll assess him soon.”
On Jorginho’s condition, Arteta noted, “He mentioned difficulty breathing, possibly due to a rib issue. That’s unusual for him, so it may be something serious.”
Arteta also confirmed Ben White was not fit enough to make the squad for the Brentford match and remains uncertain for the upcoming European fixture.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have received good news ahead of the encounter, with Dani Ceballos returning to full fitness. The midfielder, who had been sidelined since February, is expected to be available for Wednesday’s game against his former club.
