Real Madrid midfielder could have significant minutes vs Arsenal after return from injury | OneFootball

Real Madrid have some of the best individual profiles in midfield, yet have lacked a controlling presence in the department since the departure of Toni Kroos.

None of Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde or Jude Bellingham have managed to recreate the sense of control the German star used to bring to Los Blancos’ games, and it is only Dani Ceballos who has managed to achieve that in part.

After a tumultuous struggle for minutes over the years, the Spanish star finally earned himself a spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s XI at the start of 2025 this time around but an injury just that moment once again pushed him to the sidelines.

Ceballos could play a big role vs Arsenal

After over a month and a half out of action, Ceballos returned to the field for Real Madrid in the team’s recent 1-0 win over Alaves as a late substitute.

He was supposed to be available for the first leg against Arsenal last week but his recovery was pushed back by a few days.

Ceballos returned from injury against Arsenal. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Now, he appears set to have a few minutes against the London-based side in the second leg as relayed by AS.

Even though the midfielder played just five minutes earlier this week after spending 46 days out, it is expected that he can have significant minutes tomorrow night at the Santiago Bernabeu.

There is also a possibility that Ancelotti relies on the midfield pairing of Tchouameni and Ceballos against Arsenal – both of whom were sorely missed in the first leg at the Emirates.

Real Madrid have a mountain to climb against Mikel Arteta’s side and it is clear that they will have to warrior through the 90 minutes with no lapses in concentration if they are to pull off a comeback.

Ceballos is thus returning to a massive home game, and it remains to be seen if he is up to speed.