Real Madrid suffer nightmare blow before Arsenal Champions League clash

Real Madrid lost to Valencia in the final seconds of their La Liga clash on Saturday - just over 72 before facing Arsenal in a Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Three points for Carlo Ancelotti's on home soil would have seen them go level with Barcelona at the top, but their weekend opponents had other ideas.

Just two minutes after Vinicius Jr saw his early penalty saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili, Mouctar Diakhaby put the visitors in front from a corner.

The Brazilian was able to find an equaliser just after half time but as Real pushed for a winner, they were caught cold by Valencia with two substitutes combining as Hugo Dor powerfully headed home a perfect Rafa Mir cross in the 95th minute.

That shock defeat leaves Los Blancos three points behind Barcelona and a win for their El Clasico rivals against Real Betis later today would see the gap open up to six.

Given the performances of Hansi Flick's side this season, one more negative result could see them out of the La Liga title race with focus shifting onto the Copa del Rey and retaining the Champions League.

That is where Arsenal come into the equation as they prepare to host Real for a European quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.

Preparations were far from ideal for Arteta as well however, with the Gunners dropping points away at Everton when a controversial penalty from Illiman Ndiaye cancelled out Leandro Trossard's first half opener.

One positive was Bukayo Saka getting through another 45 minutes as part of his injury comeback and therefore it seems likely he will be in the starting XI on Tuesday evening. Jakub Kiwior is another that could be included from the off after impressing alongside William Saliba as Gabriel Magalhaes' replacement.

The Brazil international has been ruled out for the season because of a hamstring injury with Kai Havertz another set to miss out. As for Real, despite a UEFA investigation, Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Vini Jr and Dani Ceballos have all avoided being banned for how they celebrated the last-16 triumph over Atletico Madrid.

Aurelien Tchouameni though, will miss the game through suspension while Eder Miltao and Dani Carvajal are both recovering from long-term injuries.

There is also doubt surrounding both of Real's two senior goalkeepers with Andriy Lunin picking up an issue against Real Sociedad earlier in the week.

Thibaut Courtois has also been suffering from knee pain but Ancelotti expects him to feature at Emirates Stadium.

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