According to reports, Ceballos, who came on in the 92nd minute against Alavés, showed in those brief moments with a technical move and winning a foul that he could play a key role in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans. The midfielder from Seville, once a fringe player on Real Madrid’s exit list, has now become one of the leaders in the dressing room and a regular in the starting lineup.

Ceballos, after the match against Alavés, told Real Madrid TV that he is ready for the crucial match against Arsenal but emphasized that the team needs players who give “300%” of their ability and push the team forward with high energy.

Having been sidelined for a month and a half due to a knee injury, Ceballos is in good physical condition according to the coaching staff. With Camavinga suspended and Ancelotti not trusting Lucas Vázquez at right-back (which may push Valverde into defense), Ceballos is likely to start, despite his lack of match minutes.

Ceballos outlined Real Madrid’s roadmap for the return leg: “The first 15 minutes must be very intense, and we must win over the Bernabéu crowd. If we do that, we will have a great chance.”

These statements reflect the dressing room’s deep belief in a comeback, even if the fans have doubts. Real Madrid and the Bernabéu have a glorious history of footballing miracles, and overturning a 3-0 deficit against Arsenal, though difficult, is not impossible for this team.

However, Real Madrid’s poor performance in the first leg at the Emirates, characterized by a lack of spirit and planning, has raised concerns. The hard-fought win over Alavés did little to ease these worries, especially after Mbappé’s red card overshadowed the game. In this context, Ceballos’ return is a beacon of hope. Before his injury, he was in his best form for Real and played a key role in the team’s successful weeks. With his defensive work rate, ability to organize play, and creativity in breaking lines, Ceballos had filled the void left by Toni Kroos. In his absence, Real struggled in midfield and lacked cohesion in buildup play.

Ceballos, who played under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal between 2019 and 2021, knows the team well. Referring to Real’s recent slump, he sees the win over Alavés as a starting point for regaining morale and has promised that Real will fight until the last minute to overturn the result. His return could be the first step toward building a bridge to a miracle at the Bernabéu.