Thibaut Courtois launches stunning attack on his ‘too individual’ Real Madrid team-mates – and singles out Kylian Mbappe for dig as he pines for a star they sold – after Arsenal humbling

• Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe was kept quiet across two legs by Arsenal 
• Thibaut Courtois felt Real missed one of their former players in the tie
• LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is it fair for Man United or Tottenham to go straight into the Champions League if they win the Europa League?

By SAM BROOKES

Thibaut Courtois appeared to aim a subtle dig at Kylian Mbappe after Real Madrid were dumped out of the Champions League by Arsenal on Wednesday night.

Real entered the second leg of the quarter-final clash needing a miraculous comeback after losing 3-0 at the Emirates last week, and they never looked like pulling it off as they were beaten 2-1 in front of their home fans as Arsenal sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory.

The Spanish giants appeared to quickly run out of ideas on Wednesday night, with their only goal coming from a William Saliba error, as Vinicius Jr dispossessed him before slotting into the unguarded net.

But apart from that, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya had a quiet night, and Courtois claimed after the game that Real missed not having a ‘natural striker’ as he name-checked Joselu as being a player that could potentially have made a difference.

‘In the end, they’re a team that defends well, is well organised, presses well, and it’s difficult to find space,’ Courtois said as he gave credit to Arsenal.

‘We put in a lot of crosses, but this year we don’t have Joselu, a natural striker up front.’

Kylian Mbappe failed to make an impact as Real Madrid crashed out of the Champions League

Thibaut Courtois claimed Real missed not having a ‘natural striker’ in their loss to Arsenal

Courtois suggested Real missed Joselu (second left) after his heroics last season

Joselu famously came off the bench to score twice in the dying minutes of Real’s dramatic Champions League semi-final triumph over Bayern Munich last season.

But he was moved on last summer as Real opted to bring in Mbappe on a free transfer from PSG to replace him.

Mbappe has scored 32 goals in his maiden season in Spain, including seven in the Champions League, but he was kept quiet across both legs against Arsenal.

He is still yet to win European club football’s biggest prize, and Courtois appeared to suggest that his arrival may have unbalanced Real’s squad after they won LaLiga and the Champions League last year.

Real are still chasing two trophies, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men four points behind Barcelona in LaLiga, while they will also face their arch-rivals in the Copa del Rey final later this month.

Real will also compete in the newly-expanded Club World Cup this summer, and Courtois urged his team-mates to bounce back quickly from their European exit to finish the season strongly.

‘We have to analyse carefully what we can do better,’ he added. ‘We have a lot of season ahead of us, we have the League on the line, the Cup in ten days, and then the Club World Cup. 

‘We thank the fans. Thinking about a comeback was great, and I hope we can bring them some joy this season.’

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Thibaut Courtois launches stunning attack on his ‘too individual’ Real Madrid team-mates – and singles out Kylian Mbappe for dig as he pines for a star they sold – after Arsenal humbling

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