Kylian Mbappe ban worry as Real Madrid make early Arsenal Champions League decision

Real Madrid are wounded. Their La Liga hopes are clinging on by a thread with Barcelona continuing an exceptional unbeaten run and a place in the Copa del Rey final was only narrowly secured after an extra-time win over Real Sociedad last month.

The season is reaching a crescendo and for Carlo Ancelotti's side this is when they usually come alive. Things are threatening to get away from them now, though.

It has been almost two months since Madrid last won a game by more than one goal. In that time they have lost three and drawn one (although that draw did eventually get them through in the cup). The 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in last week's Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium had been coming.

Madrid were beaten at home to Valencia three days prior and that followed the crazy 4-4 draw with La Real. Los Blancos have certainly showed their fallibility of late and now they have to try and turn matters around against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Their warmup for the game, a 1-0 away win over Alaves, was hardly the perfect confidence booster. The European giants were far from dominant and were out shot on the day. Alaves, who ended the game just one point above the drop zone in Spain, had more possession and could easily have found an equaliser.

Madrid missed chances to go further ahead after Eduardo Camavinga's brilliant opener curled in from outside the box. This was far from vintage, though.

The caveat is that Ancelotti did rotate his side. Luka Modric was rested from the team that lost in north London whilst Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham were both started on the bench. Arda Guler got the nod and Aurelien Tchouameni went into midfield. David Alaba found himself as a substitute.

Given the depth in Madrid's squad it is hard to tell exactly where Ancelotti's mind is going ahead of the crucial return fixture. Alaba had been run ragged by Arsenal at left-back whilst the Madrid midfield did not offer the protection or foundation for swift attacking moves that it so often does.

The frontline is easier to pick as Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe, Bellingham, and often Rodrygo will all play together. With a three-goal deficit, they surely will for the second leg.

Mbappe's toil in the first meeting was notable and his frustration may well have been born out as he was sent off against Alaves with less than 40 minutes played. His wild tackle when trying to launch a fast break was pulled up by VAR and maybe reflects some of the tension in this massive week.

He will no doubt be involved at Santiago Bernabeu even if he does get a ban in the league. Camavinga will miss out after his second yellow card at the end of the first leg. The rest of the team is likely to pick itself.

Whether Alaba returns at full-back or Fran Garcia gets the nod is unclear. The experience of Alaba certainly plays into his favour, though, and Ancelotti does tend to lean on those who know.

That is why Modric will surely come back in as well. Tchouameni could replace Camavinga, leaving the deadline four of Vinicius, Bellingham, Mbappe, and Rodrygo to try and spark the comeback of all comebacks.

There are all questions for Ancelotti to ponder in the remaining days. Madrid will be closer to full strength than Arsenal and will need Mbappe to fire with a point to prove after his red card and first leg display. It may not be enough to overturn what is a commanding lead for Mikel Arteta.

Real Madrid strongest XI vs Arsenal: Courtois; Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Alaba; Tchouameni, Modric, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.

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Arsenal face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on April 16.

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