Arsenal will be hoping Kylian Mbappe cannot feature for Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg after his display this past weekend. The Frenchman is one of four Madrid stars at the centre of a UEFA investigation for how they celebrated the penalty shootout victory over bitter rivals Atletico in the previous round.
Antonio Rudiger scored the decisive spot-kick and followed that with his bizarre trademark run with Mbappe also taking part. However, it was what both of those players, along with Vinicius Jr and Dani Ceballos, did shortly after that which caused a stir.
In the direction of the Atletico supporters, Vinicius did a number of taunts while Rudiger made a cut-throat gesture. Mbappe and Ceballos meanwhile, made offensive gestures with the former captured grabbing his genitals. Atletico boss Diego Simeone was banned for such an act in 2019 and thus some punishment for Mbappe is possible.
Any of the quartet actually being banned appears unlikely, but it is a matter being taken seriously by UEFA, with an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector set to 'investigate allegations of indecent conduct'. Arsenal will fancy their chances to secure a positive result in the first leg regardless of key suspensions, with Bukayo Saka expected back.
The Gunners' talisman has been absent for the last three months due to a hamstring injury, but he recently returned to training at London Colney and is thus on track to start against Madrid at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, April 8. Before then, Mikel Arteta will want to build up his minutes with potential cameos against Fulham and Everton.
As for Madrid, they face Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey before welcoming Valencia to the Bernabeu, with their trip to north London coming four days later. While Arsenal were not in action this past weekend, Madrid did play and beat Leganes 3-2 in a thrilling La Liga contest.
Mbappe was the hero for Madrid, as his brace helped Madrid complete the comeback, with Jude Bellingham also scoring an important goal. Though it is hardly a secret, Mbappe has once again shown his quality and therefore Arsenal will be hoping he receives a ban for his actions.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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