Atletico Madrid - Diego Simeone
Image credit: Getty Images
Atletico Madrid have been handed a timely injury boost ahead of their Champions League showdown with Arsenal this week.
The Spanish side return to England just over a month after suffering defeat to Liverpool in their opening League Phase match. Since that setback, Diego Simeone’s men have bounced back impressively, thrashing Eintracht Frankfurt 5–1, and they now head to London determined to extend their winning run against one of Europe’s in-form teams.
Simeone will be pleased to have Nico Gonzalez available for selection after the left wing-back overcame a minor injury scare. The 27-year-old was forced off in the first half of Atletico’s 1–0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday with a head injury, raising doubts over his availability for the Arsenal clash. However, Gonzalez has since recovered and was included in the squad that departed Madrid for London earlier today.
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It remains to be seen whether he will start, with Simeone expected to provide an update on his condition during his pre-match press conference on Monday evening.
Nico Gonzalez
Nico Gonzalez (Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal, on the other hand, continue to deal with multiple injury absences as they prepare for the crucial midweek fixture. According to reports, four first-team players, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus were all missing from Monday’s training session as they continue their respective recoveries.
Odegaard’s campaign has been hampered by ongoing fitness issues. The Norwegian captain initially picked up a shoulder injury earlier in the season before suffering a medial collateral ligament problem against West Ham, which has kept him out for several weeks.
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Madueke remains sidelined after sustaining a knee injury in the defeat to Manchester City, and Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the winger still needs more time before returning to action. Havertz, meanwhile, has not featured since the opening-day win over Manchester United.
The German underwent knee surgery shortly afterward, and although no official return date has been given, he could be back before the next international break if his recovery continues as planned.
Gabriel Jesus remains the longest-term absentee, having been sidelined since tearing his ACL in January’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United. While his rehabilitation is progressing well, Arteta has insisted that the club will not rush him back into action.
Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie
Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie (Image credit: Getty Images)
In more positive news for Arsenal, summer signing Piero Hincapie is expected to be available after recovering from a groin injury. The Ecuadorian defender returned to full training last week and participated again on Monday.
Although he was left out of the squad for Saturday’s win over Fulham, he could be named among the substitutes when Atletico visit the Emirates, offering Arteta a much-needed defensive boost as the Gunners aim to extend their unbeaten run in Europe.
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