Arsenal face Atlético Madrid in the Champions League semi-final clash at the Emirates on Tuesday.
The first leg in Spain ended in a 1-1 draw as Julián Alvarez’s 56th minute goal cancelled Viktor Gyökeres’ opener for Arsenal.
Alvarez picked up an injury in the same tie and had to leave the pitch in the 77th minute.
Last week, Sport Witness covered claims from Spain that the striker suffered a minor blow and should be in contention to face the Premier League side. He missed last weekend’s 2-0 win over Valencia.
Simeone motivating Alvarez for Arsenal clash
Pipi Estrada, Nacho Palencia, Ramón Álvarez de Mon, Pepe Pasqués, Jorge Liaño, and Jorge Segura analyse Julián Alvarez for today’s big European clash for Radio Marca‘s La Tribu.
According to journalist Pipi Estrada, Diego Simeone has been constantly motivating the 26-year-old in recent days. He adds the Argentina international will take an injection to feature against Arsenal.
“Simeone has been very attentive to Julián these past few days. [He’s] very supportive, very motivating and approachable, telling him, ‘Julián, this is your game.’ For Cholo, Julián is the man of the match. He’s facing his biggest challenge. I think he’s going to play with an injection,” he said.
On the frontman, journalist Jorge Liaño explained: “Julián is the player who poses the biggest threat to Arsenal and who dictates the English side’s playing style. If he’s not fully fit, Simeone would have to consider other options. It’s not about ‘Julian-dependence,’ but we have to be aware that he’s Atlético de Madrid’s star player.”
Mikel Arteta’s side enter this fixture with a 3-0 league win over Fulham. The result helped them go six points clear of Manchester City, who had two games in hand.
Manchester City picked up a point against Everton on Monday and trail Arsenal by five points with a game in hand.
Jorge Segura says the Citizens’ slip-up should come as relief for Arsenal ahead of today’s key clash.
“These matches should be played by the best players, if possible. I’d like to know if City’s slip-up in the Premier League will affect Arsenal. The players, the manager, and the fans will have felt a sense of relief,” he added.
Arsenal’s remaining fixtures
Mikel Arteta’s side have at least four matches left this season.
- v Atlético Madrid [home] on Tuesday
- v West Ham United [away] on May 10th
- v Burnley [home] on May 18th
- v Crystal Palace [away] on May 24th
