Julian Alvarez has travelled with Atletico Madrid’s squad for Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final against Arsenal, but doubts remain about his ability to start the match.
Atletico Madrid have confirmed their squad for the trip to London this midweek, revealing a few team news updates.
For a start, Nicolas Gonzalez and Pablo Barrios are absent, so they won’t be making their injury comebacks against Arsenal on Tuesday night.
But Jose Maria Gimenez has travelled, despite missing the first leg of the semi-final and Atletico’s match against Valencia at the weekend. That suggests he’s on the verge of an injury comeback, but it may be too much to immediately throw him into the starting lineup after eight games out.
The other big news is that Julian Alvarez is in the squad, having come off early against Arsenal in the first leg before sitting out of the Valencia match at the weekend.
Diario de Noticias had reported on Monday morning that though Alvarez was expected to travel, his ability to start the match would depend on how his ankle injury evolves over the next 24 hours.
The same goes for Giuliano Simeone, who is fit to travel, but might not be fit enough to start.
Aside from the five players listed above, the expectation is that everyone else will be fit and available for selection by Diego Simeone on Tuesday night.
- Arsenal revive interest in Kroupi ahead of January windowArsenal are reportedly ready to revive their interest in Eli Junior Kroupi, but Bournemouth are reluctant to sell the forward during the January window.
- Mikel Arteta’s Unstoppable Red MachineArsenal’s away record tells the story of a side transformed under Mikel Arteta, with Anfield providing the latest evidence of a harder, more ruthless team.
- Former Arsenal youngster’s star wanes as goalscoring dries upFormer Arsenal striker Mika Biereth is struggling for minutes at Monaco after his explosive start in France, with his future now increasingly uncertain.
- Arsenal manager and players up for Premier League monthly awardsRecognition has followed Arsenal’s perfect October, with three key figures now in the running for Premier League awards.
- Arsenal v Hull VAR is unwelcome appointmentMichael Oliver will be on VAR for Arsenal against Hull City, an appointment likely to revive memories of some of his most controversial Gunners decisions.