Key Takeaways
- Riccardo Calafiori returns to the Arsenal squad after a three-week injury lay-off but begins Wednesday’s match on the substitute bench.
- Piero Hincapie gets the nod at left-back for the Gunners as they face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
- Ademola Lookman starts for the Spanish side, though midfielder Nico Gonzalez remains sidelined with a muscle problem.
Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori is set to end his injury absence as Arsenal travel to Spain for a crucial Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening. However, the centre-back will begin the match among the replacements rather than in the starting eleven.
Three weeks have passed since the Italy international last pulled on an Arsenal shirt. He picked up a problem during the first leg of the quarter-final meeting with Sporting CP on April 7th. Since that setback, he has sat out four consecutive matches for the North London club. These included three Premier League fixtures and the return leg of the European tie against the Portuguese side.
Calafiori has now recovered sufficiently to resume training with Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad this week. His inclusion in the matchday party offers the manager additional defensive options for the trip to the Wanda Metropolitano. Despite his return to fitness, Piero Hincapie will occupy the left-back position when the referee blows the starting whistle.
Meanwhile, the home team welcomes former Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman into their starting line-up. The Nigerian international provides attacking threat for Diego Simeone’s men. However, they remain without Argentine midfielder Nico Gonzalez. The Juventus loanee faces approximately three to four weeks on the sidelines due to a muscular injury.
The victor of this two-legged tie will advance to the final of Europe’s premier club competition. Arsenal will look to secure a positive result away from home before hosting the return leg in London.