Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard are walking the disciplinary tightrope for Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP.
The Gunners are seeking a return to winning ways following back-to-back defeats in cup competitions to Manchester City and Southampton either side of the international break.
With the FA Cup and Carabao Cup now gone, Arsenal’s hopes of ending their six-year wait for a major trophy rests with the Premier League and Champions League.
Mikel Arteta’s side overcame Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16 to set up a quarter-final showdown with Sporting, though the Arsenal manager may need to have a quiet word with two senior players ahead of kick-off.
Norgaard, unlikely to start in Lisbon, was booked twice during league phase against Slavia Prague and Club Brugge.
Zubimendi, meanwhile, has already served a Champions League ban this season. After receiving yellow cards against Athletic Club, Olympiacos and Atletico Madrid - Arsenal’s first three games of the league phase - he missed the 3-0 win in Prague.
The Spaniard was then booked, perhaps harshly in the second half against of the last-16 first leg draw with Bayer Leverkusen and is now one caution away from being booked five times in the Champions League this season.
As per UEFA’s ruling, ‘players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions, which did not result in a red card, as well as following any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.)’.
Due to yellow cards in the Champions League not being reset until after the quarter-final stage, it means Zubimendi and Norgaard have to watch their step in both games against Sporting to avoid a suspension, potentially in a semi-final.
Declan Rice, who missed the final league phase fixture against Kairat through suspension, will be in the same boat as Zubimendi (one more away from five yellow cards) if booked against Sporting.
Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel, Kai Havertz, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba and Ben White are all on one yellow card heading into the quarter-final first leg.
