The current injury plaguing Real Madrid’s left-back Ferland Mendy is merely a symptom of a more profound issue that has been plaguing the player for some time. According to reports from J.L. Calderón in Marca, Mendy’s physical unreliability has become a systemic problem, with the player averaging a staggering 92 days out injured per season since his arrival at the club in 2019. This alarming trend has seen Mendy suffer a total of 16 separate injuries, with the player never managing to complete a season with fewer than 65 days of unavailability.

The latest estimate suggests that Mendy will miss not only the crucial Champions League second leg against Arsenal but also potentially the Copa del Rey final on April 26. The initial plan to have him ready for the Emirates match has been scrapped, and the focus has shifted to getting him fit for the Copa del Rey final, a testament to the severity of the injury. Mendy’s physical condition is his Achilles’ heel, and his frequent absences have become a constant concern for the team, leaving coach Carlo Ancelotti with a difficult task in terms of team selection.

Mendy’s absence is particularly significant because he is not a peripheral figure in Real Madrid’s defensive setup. He is a key player who has been an integral part of the team under both Zinedine Zidane and Ancelotti, and his inability to stay healthy has left a gaping hole in the team. With Eduardo Camavinga suspended for the second leg against Arsenal, Dani Ceballos likely to miss the match, and doubts surrounding Federico Valverde and David Alaba, the mounting absences are undoubtedly giving Ancelotti a headache.

While Aurélien Tchouaméni returns from suspension and Andriy Lunin is back in full training, the injuries and suspensions are a significant concern for Real Madrid as they prepare for the second leg against Arsenal. Despite the setbacks, Arsenal will be well aware of the challenges that await them in Madrid, and they will likely look to exploit the hole left by Mendy’s absence. For Real Madrid, the timing of Mendy’s injury couldn’t be more unfortunate, and it’s another season, another setback, that they will have to navigate.