Kylian Mbappe has set a personal seven-year low following Real Madrid's exit from the Champions League at home to Arsenal this evening.
Los Blancos needed a minor miracle to turn the tie on its head after they were beaten 3-0 at the Emirates last week, and Carlo Ancelotti's side faltered to another defeat in the second leg.
Arsenal scored the first goal of the evening, when Bukayo Saka dinked Thibaut Courtois when played through on goal shortly past the hour mark, and after Vinicius Junior's instant equaliser, Gabriel Martinelli won it on the night for the visitors in injury time.
It is Real's first quarter-final elimination in the competition for 21 years, and sees Mbappe fail first time around to secure an elusive Champions League crown.
© Imago
Mbappe sets rare personal drought
Part of the reason why Real have suffered elimination is down to the no-show from Mbappe across both legs, with the French forward struggling to make much impact against a stubborn Arsenal rearguard.
Mbappe was denied by a smart stop from David Raya in the first half of the first leg, but that was as influential as he got across the tie.
The drop off in form is not exclusive to just these two legs either, because for the first time since 2018, Mbappe has failed to score or assist in five successive matches across all competitions.
Mbappe was sent off before half time for a nasty challenge on Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco at the weekend, meaning he will miss the clash with Athletic Bilbao this weekend.
Prior to the first leg against Arsenal, the 26-year-old was unable to inspire Real Madrid in their 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia either, while he was substituted after just 55 minutes in the 4-4 Copa del Rey draw with Real Sociedad at the start of the month.
© Imago
Can Mbappe salvage Real's season?
The season is far from over though, because even though Mbappe is suspended for Los Blancos' next La Liga assignment, he will be back for the Copa final against Barcelona at the end of the month.
Mbappe hobbled off with 15 minutes remaining at the Bernabeu tonight, but first thoughts are that he will be fine to return in time for the final, while Real also have a game before then, next midweek against Getafe.
There are still seven games left in the La Liga campaign, with Real needing to make up a four-point gap to leaders Barca, and beating them in the Copa final could give them a psychological edge in that tussle.
However, Mbappe has suffered chastening defeats in his first two El Clasico's, losing the league meeting at the Bernabeu 4-0, before going down 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup, despite opening the scoring on that occasion.
Andrew Delaney
