Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe was sent off in their 1-0 victory over Alaves today, three days before their Champions League quarter-final second-leg against Arsenal.
The Frenchman is expected to be handed at least a two-game ban as a result of the red card, but he will be available against the Gunners as Los Blancos look to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat at Emirates Stadium last Tuesday.
Madrid host Arsenal on Wednesday and will be desperate to secure a comeback from the disappointing loss to the North London club last Tuesday, but Mbappe’s first red card in Spanish football could affect him mentally.
He was shown his marching orders after VAR was consulted following a reckless challenge on Antonio Blanco just before the break, and while Madrid are hoping he will not be handed no more than a two-match ban, they have to wait for an update from La Liga and the RFEF over his incoming suspension.
His ban could be upgraded to four games or more if the foul is deemed a violent conduct, and an update could arrive before the Arsenal match.
Waiting for a final verdict could unsettle Mbappe ahead of such an important game, and getting a longer ban would most likely affect his performances against the Gunners.
Today is the first time since September 2018 that the 26-year-old has got sent off in a game, and it appears the frustration from the Arsenal defeat is already taking its toll on him.
The Gunners will fancy their chances of progressing to the semi-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Madrid following such a comfortable lead heading into a return-leg, but manager Mikel Arteta and his men know the job is not done yet and will be ready to put everything on the line at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
