Arsenal dealt huge injury boost for Real Madrid in perfect Mikel Arteta scenario

Ben White and Thomas Partey have both trained before Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid. They were the main injury concerns for Mikel Arteta after Saturday's 1-1 draw to Brentford.

Arteta chose to rotate his team ahead of travelling to Spain with the Premier League title race all but over. His injury problems continued despite these attempts to guard against further setbacks.

Partey started the match at right-back but had to be taken off in the second half after scoring the game's only goal. Arteta was especially coy around the issue immediately afterwards.

"Yeah, he felt something so we didn't want to take any risks," the head coach said. He would only describe it as 'something' before adding that "We don't know [how bad it is], I haven't spoken to the doctors yet. So they will check him now and see how he is."

Jorginho also came into the side, replacing Martin Odegaard. He took a blow to the ribs and chest. "The problem is breathing, so I'd say he could not carry on," Arteta explained.

Whilst White - who was first out to train along with Raheem Sterling, shortly followed by Arteta - and Partey were both present, Jorginho was not seen in the group. It adds doubt over his involvement at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Riccardo Calafiori has also been sidelined again recently. He was not among those pictured in north London ahead of the game. The Italian did not play against Brentford, either.

Gabriel Martinelli also took part in the session. He had been on the receiving end of a horror challenge on Saturday but was present here.

As for White, his season has been tormented by injuries. Having returned to the team against Everton prior to the first leg, he was only used as a late substitute in the 3-0 win last Tuesday.

The right-back picked up a knock in training prior to the Brentford match. "Again, we don't know," Arteta said on Saturday. "So he could not be in condition to be in the squad today and be selected. So we have a few days but we'll have to wait and see."

Partey kept supporters waiting at an open training session as he was among the final few to come out onto the grass. Arsenal remain without Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The quartet have all been ruled out for the rest of the season. Arsenal have been forced to start Jakub Kiwior at centre-back in the light of not having more options.

Arsenal take a commanding lead to Madrid with the hope of securing a semi-final spot. They will play the winner of Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain if they do get through.

PSG lead 3-1 heading into the second leg at Villa Park on Tuesday night. Arsenal will journey to Madrid following their training session at the Sobha Realty Training Ground.

Both Arteta and his opposite number, Carlo Ancelotti, will hold press conferences ahead of the game on Tuesday evening. Full team news will then follow but for now it looks likely to be positive for Arsenal.

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