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Brian Kimathi
Arsenal get late boost as Atletico Madrid rocked by injury blow in final training session
Arsenal's Champions League semi-final opponents Atletico Madrid were dealt a late injury blow during their last preparations for tonight's contest at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano
View 2 ImagesThe Argentina international, who is on loan from Juventus, spoke during a press conference on Monday before picking up the muscular issue yesterday at the club's training base.
He is set to miss both semi-final ties and his place in Argentina's World Cup squad is also in doubt as he may not return until the end of the campaign.
The initial diagnosis is that Gonzalez, formerly of Fiorentina, will also miss La Liga fixtures against Valencia, Celta Vigo, Osasuna and Girona.
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Even if Atletico eliminate Arsenal and reach the final, he would be touch-and-go to play in Budapest as he's facing a number of weeks on the sidelines.
Even though Gonzalez may not have started against the Gunners, it's a boost for Mikel Arteta and Co because it weakens Atletico's ranks and Diego Simeone already has a number of injury problems to contend with.
He lost midfielder Pablo Barrios to injury on Saturday against Athletic Club while defender Jose Maria Gimenez looks set to miss tonight's match.
Ademola Lookman and defender David Hancko are also back in training following recent fitness problems but Simeone revealed on Tuesday that his star winger was still in discomfort.
Simeone explained: “We'll see if he recovers well tomorrow, because he was still feeling some discomfort today. So we'll see if he can help us tomorrow or not.”
Crucially, strikers Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth are both fit while Antoine Griezmann is also pushing to start ahead of his emotional departure this summer when he'll join MLS side Orlando City.
View 2 ImagesIn Spain, there has also been some debate over who will start in goal for the hosts as Juan Musso impressed in the absence of the now-fit Jan Oblak.
Musso caught the eye in the quarter-finals against Barcelona and bolstered his reputation amongst Atletico Madrid supporters during Oblak's one-month injury lay-off.
Arsenal also have a few injury issues of their own. Right-back Jurrien Timber has been unable to recover in time while Kai Havertz has missed out with a muscle issue sustained on Saturday against Newcastle.
Mikel Merino has not played since January when he scored against Manchester United. He is continuing to slowly step up his recovery following foot surgery.
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