Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has confirmed he is “fully fit” and ready for action in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Courtois, 32, had been sidelined for Madrid’s last three games due to injury. However, he assured fans on Monday that he is back in shape.
“I am fully fit and I feel good,” Courtois said during a press conference at the Emirates. “It was not a big issue so I could train in the gym, and I have been on the pitch for the last day so I feel fine and 100 per cent.”
Courtois’ return is a major boost for manager Carlo Ancelotti, who had to field 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez in the weekend’s 2-1 La Liga loss to Valencia, after backup keeper Andriy Lunin also suffered an injury.
Courtois, who previously played for Chelsea, expressed his admiration for Arsenal, acknowledging their recent resurgence under Mikel Arteta.
“I have a lot of respect for Arsenal and a lot of friends who support Arsenal,” he said. “I know they have been doing great and have been close to winning the Premier League.
“They play well, have a young team and a nice blend of experienced players, too. They defend well, press high, are good at the low block and are quick on the counter and have players who can score easily.”
On the other side, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the tie as the most significant of his career so far. Since taking over in 2019, Arteta has revitalized the Gunners, guiding them back to the top of English and European football. However, the FA Cup win in 2020 remains his only silverware to date.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti praised Arteta’s transformation of the London side, calling Arsenal one of the most complete teams in Europe.
“He’s built a complete team,” Ancelotti said. “There aren’t many teams that I would say are complete in Europe.
“There are lots of teams who do certain things very well but there aren’t many that do everything as well as Arsenal do.
“He’s doing a fantastic job. He is near the top of the Premier League, he’s in the quarter-final of the Champions League.”
The highly anticipated clash at the Emirates promises to be a thrilling contest between two football giants, both eager to stake their claim on Europe’s most prestigious club trophy.
