Arsenal dealt injury news ahead of Champions League semi-final second leg

Atletico Madrid were forced to withdraw their Argentine bagsman from action in this week's Champions League semi-final match against Arsenal.

Julian Alvarez exited the pitch shortly before the 80th minute during the game between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal, which ended 1-1 through two penalties.

The Argentine attacker cancelled out Viktor Gyokeres’ 44th minute penalty with a spot kick of his own in the 56th, leaving Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya planted between the sticks.

Will Julian Alvarez be fit for the second leg?

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With his second half penalty, Julian Alvarez became the first man in Atletico Madrid’s history to reach a double digit goal tally in a single Champions League campaign.

The Argentine has scored 10 goals for the Spanish side in Europe this season, pairing that figure with four assists in a run which has taken Atletico Madrid to the tournament’s semi-finals.

According to a report from Cadena SER, the 26-year-old was withdrawn due to an ankle issue, which has since been revealed to be minor.

The Argentine forward, who ranked at No. 5 in FourFourTwo's list of the best strikers in the world, has suffered a minor ankle sprain, making his return for the Champions League semi-final second leg at the Emirates highly likely.

Barring any setbacks or relapses, Julian Alvarez will line up for Atletico Madrid next Tuesday evening as his side look to book a place in the Champions League final against one of Bayern Munich or PSG.

This update vindicates coach Diego Simeone’s optimism regarding Julian Alvarez’s condition in a post-match press conference, when asked whether he’d be present for the next leg.

Despite being unaware of the diagnosis, Simeone said: ‘Optimistic for the return leg? I’m always optimistic. Julian Alvarez will play on Tuesday against Arsenal… I know [him].’

The Atletico Madrid manager was also forced to withdraw his son Giuliano from the pitch after he suffered a knock.

Simeone echoed the same optimism for his child and player, saying: ‘I absolutely do not see [him] being out of a return semi-final leg.’

Julian Alvarez will return against Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final second leg, currently tied 1-1, at the Emirates next Tuesday.