With the tie firmly on a knife-edge at 1-1, Atletico face a quick turnaround before they head to north London. They are scheduled to face Valencia in La Liga on Saturday, a game that will likely see Simeone rotate his squad to protect those carrying knocks. The priority remains on ensuring that Alvarez, Giuliano, and Sorloth are at 100 per cent for the return leg.
As the Gunners prepare to host Atletico on a surface that Mikel Arteta hopes will be more conducive to his side's style, the fitness of Alvarez remains the biggest talking point. Should the 26-year-old be fit to start as Simeone predicts, he will remain the primary threat to Arsenal's hopes of reaching their first Champions League final since 2006.