Marco Asensio Suffers Torn ACL Against Arsenal, Will Miss Majority Of Season

by Tyler PenceJuly 25, 2019, 3:44 pmNews >

Real Madrid and manager Zinedine Zidane had a promising start of the summer by signing five players ranging from Eden Hazard, formerly of Chelsea, Luka Jovic from Benfica, 18-year-old Brazilian Rodrygo, Olympique Lyon fullback Ferland Mendy and Porto’s Eder Militao. Recently, Zidane’s squad has been suffering. After it was announced Welsh star Gareth Bale was allowed to leave for free after not agreeing with Zidane, Real Madrid played Arsenal in a friendly and Marco Asensio tore his ACL.

According to BBC, Real Madrid released a statement regarding Asensio’s status, saying, “he has been diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the external meniscus of his left knee. The player will be surgically operated in the next few days.”

Asensio suffered the injury later after scoring in the 59th minute to bring the game back to 2-2 after Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored in the first half and gave them the lead. Real Madrid later won the game in penalties.

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According to reports in Spain, they explain that Asensio could be out for the team for almost nine months. He will miss most of the 2019-2020 campaign, and may not be involved at the Euro 2020 championships with his international team Spain.

Surprisingly, the injury of Asensio and the set departure of Bale may hurt Arsenal. They were seeking to loan out Real Madrid’s midfielder Dani Ceballos, but Zidane may need to keep the 22-year-old now as they lack depth in the attacking midfield and wings. Arsenal boss Unai Emery relayed how the injury of Asensio is bad not only for Real Madrid and the player’s development, but the club of Arsenal as well. According to BBC, Emery said that the injury could possibly be “bad news for us.”

Arsenal will have to look elsewhere most likely for a different signing, while Zidane will have to reform his squad after the Asensio injury, and with Bale set to leave. Real Madrid were looking as one of the favorites entering this new season for winning the Champions League, but have suffered two setbacks.