MADRID, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid's pre-season preparations suffered an serious setback when forward Marco Asensio suffered an important injury in their Champions Cup game against Arsenal in Washington DC (USA) on Monday night.

The Spain international, who scored the equalizing goal in the game, fell badly with around 25 minutes remaining of the 2-2 draw against the English side and had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance in evident pain.

Although full tests have yet to be carried out, everything points to the 23-year-old having suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury, which will put him out of action for at least six months.

"We are worried, it's his knee - he's gone straight to hospital for tests, but it looks bad," admitted Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane after the game.

Asensio's injury could also put the brakes on Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos' loan deal to Arsenal as Madrid consider whether they can now afford to allow him to leave a squad which has lost an important player.

Meanwhile Gareth Bale made a point after Zidane recently told the press it would be best if he left the club. The Welshman turned in an impressive second half display against Arsenal and scored Madrid's opening goal in the game to show that in football actions speak louder than words.