Álvaro Arbeloa faces several selection headaches ahead of Sunday’s Clásico encounter at Camp Nou, with a notable list of absentees from Real Madrid’s roster.

It has been a week of nightmares for Madrid ahead of the match, as a disappointing season for the club has careened off the rails and into a state of total chaos.

Madrid released a statement on Thursday confirming Federico Valverde had required hospitalization to treat a head injury suffered during a confrontation with his teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni. Both players have been heavily fined, although the matter is at least considered closed as a result.

Valverde reportedly required stitches after hitting his head on a table, during the incident, though the Uruguayan insisted in his own statement that no punches were thrown.…