Arsenal’s Dani Ceballos transfer could be OFF, says Emery after Real Madrid star Marco Asensio suffers devastating injury
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UNAI EMERY admits Arsenal's loan transfer of Dani Ceballos could be off — after Marco Asensio's nasty injury during the two sides' pre-season clash.
Spanish international Asensio, 23, was taken away from FedEx Field in Washington DC in an ambulance with a cruciate ligament injury and there are worries it could affect the Gunners' swoop for midfielder Ceballos.
When asked whether Ceballos' move is now at risk, Emery said: "I don't know. Really our target in the match was not to take injuries and they have maybe a big injury with Asensio, it's bad news for them and also for us.
"I don't know if it can change something."
Asensio's injury has also hit Gareth Bale's likely Bernabeu exit, but Zinedine Zidane promised the club are working on shipping the Welshman out of the Spanish capital regardless.
The forward hit the deck after shielding the ball during an innocent-looking jostle with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
He crumpled to the ground and writhed around in pain before punching the turf repeatedly during Real Madrid's 3-2 penalty shootout win over Arsenal.
Playmaking wide-man Asensio was then taken off on a stretcher before being taken to hospital in an ambulance — where preliminary scans confirmed he has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament.
While Ceballos does not play in the same position as popular Bernabeu star Asensio, there are now doubts about whether he will move to Arsenal.
The deal is set to be a season-long loan for Ceballos, 22, while he was due to travel to London on Tuesday after Zidane rubber-stamped the move.
Zidane made it clear that Bale’s situation at the Bernabeu remains unaffected despite the Welshman scoring his team’s first goal last night.
We are all touched by Marco’s injury and we are all hoping it is not as serious as it looks, but it has nothing to do with Bale’s position.
Zinedine Zidane
He said: “Asensio went straight to the hospital for tests on his knee and it looks bad.
“We are all touched by Marco’s injury and we are all hoping it is not as serious as it looks, but it has nothing to do with Bale’s position.
“Bale has played a good game for us tonight and I am happy for him.
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“The other day he did not want to play but today today he wanted to be a part of the game. It was my decision and he played well.
“At the moment he is still here with us and he has played a part so we will see what happens.
“But nothing has changed. You all know the situation. I will always tell you the same thing.”
