Real Madrid sweating over another defensive injury ahead of Arsenal second leg | OneFootball

Real Madrid defender David Alaba is battling another fitness concern and is facing a race against time to recover before Wednesday's crunch clash with Arsenal.

With left-back Ferland Mendy sidelined with an injury which has already ruled him out of the return leg, Carlo Ancelotti made the bold decision to start Alaba out on the left side of defence in the first leg to try and contain Bukayo Saka.

The plan overwhelmingly backfired as Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners, with Alaba in particular given a torrid time by Saka.

According to COPE, Alaba may not even get the chance to enact some revenge as he has picked up a thigh strain which has sent him back to the sidelines.

The severity of Alaba's latest issue is not clear but all eyes will be on whether he features on Sunday when Madrid take on Alaves in a bid to keep their fading La Liga hopes alive. With eight games remaining, Ancelotti's side sit four points behind Barcelona.

While their chances of lifting La Liga silverware appear slim, Madrid are staring elimination from the Champions League in the face after their abysmal humbling at the hands of Arsenal last week.

With Alaba potentially unavailable for the return leg, Ancelotti may be forced to turn to Fran Garcia, who has been the usual deputy but was evidently not trusted enough against Saka the first time.