Arsenal legend, Ian Wright has reportedly admitted fears Real Madrid will look to exploit the vulnerability of Jakub Kiwior following an injury to Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Gunners are set for a clash against Los Blancos in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League and Kiwior is the man most likely to partner William Saliba at the heart of the defence after Gabriel was forced off in the team’s 2-0 win over Fulham at the Emirates on Tuesday.
According to Football 365, reacting to Gabriel’s injury, Arsenal legend Wright told Premier League Productions: “It’s a massive miss.
“It’s just as big in respects of what Saka does for us going forward, then Gabriel going the other way, set-pieces, leadership, warrior that we need.
See Also: Real Madrid Eye History In Copa Del Rey Final As Ancelotti Chases Landmark Triumph
“I think whatever you say, the drop-off from Gabriel, I don’t know how fit Calafiori is at the moment, but when you’re looking at someone going that quick and pulling up like that, that’s not two weeks, that a month, that’s six weeks, you can see it there, he knows himself.
“The thing is, I know we’re jumping ahead and speaking about Real Madrid because it is a massive game, it is the big game of the season for us.
“Without Gabi Magalhaes in that game you’re looking at Kiwior even today [against Fulham], there’s a couple of positional moves that you just cannot afford to do when you play against Real Madrid.
“They are looking for any chink in the armour to exploit, so you need people who are absolutely bang on it, to be able to keep Real Madrid to no goals at home. If Gabi Magalhaes was there I would feel more confident about that.”
COMMENTS