Alvarez Joins Barrios on Sidelines as Arsenal Gain Advantage in Champions League Semi Final

Atletico Madrid are facing a significant personnel crisis ahead of their Champions League semi final first leg against Arsenal, and the powers that be at the Estadio Metropolitano must now contend with the potential absence of their talismanic Argentine forward Julian Alvarez. The club has already confirmed that midfield stalwart Pablo Barrios will play no part in the showdown after he suffered another hamstring injury during the weekend. �s hard fought victory over Athletic Club. Now, according to exclusive information gathered by GoalZaza, Alvarez has emerged as a serious doubt for the crucial European tie after he failed to complete the full training session on Monday morning. The former Manchester City man, who has been a formidable presence in Diego Simeone. �s attack this term, is understood to have felt some discomfort in his right thigh during the latter stages of the session. Medical staff are expected to make a final call on his availability in the coming hours, but the early signs, in the scheme of things, do not favour the Spanish side. For Arsenal, this news represents the lion. �s share of good fortune ahead of a fixture that was already billed as a stern test of their European credentials. Should Alvarez be ruled out, the onus will fall heavily on Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata to give a good account of themselves against a resolute Gunners defence marshalled by William Saliba. The Nigerian connection here is not lost on the watching faithful in Lagos and Abuja. Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, who has been strongly linked with a summer move to both clubs, will be monitoring this tie closely as a potential suitor weighing up his next destination. At the end of the day, the absence of a world class operator like Alvarez tilts the balance in Arsenal. �s favour, and Mikel Arteta. �s men must now seize the opportunity to take a commanding lead back to the Emirates for the second leg.