Simeone Backs Alvarez to Swing Emirates Tie as Arsenal Face Atletico in Champions League Semi

Diego Simeone has identified Julian Alvarez as the potential game-changer when Atletico Madrid travel to the Emirates Stadium for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg, with the £81m Argentine striker primed to make an impact against Arsenal.

The first leg in Madrid produced a cagey 1-1 stalemate, with Viktor Gyokeres converting from the spot for Arsenal in the 44th minute before Alvarez levelled from the penalty mark 12 minutes later. Atletico lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Alvarez paired alongside Antoine Griezmann in attack, and the 26-year-old is widely expected to start again in North London.

Simeone believes Alvarez's experience and quality could prove pivotal. "What Julian brings to these important matches," the Atletico boss explained. "He knows the English league very well, and he played very well in the first leg. Hopefully, he can respond in the way the match demands."

Alvarez arrived at Atletico from Manchester City last summer for £81million and has already caught the attention of Arsenal's hierarchy. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have reportedly opened preliminary talks about a potential summer move, with Simeone himself acknowledging the striker's appeal to elite European clubs.

"It's normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona," Simeone said last week. "It's normal because he's very good."

When pressed on the matter during his pre-match briefing, Arteta remained characteristically unflustered. "I can't control that," the Arsenal manager said. "Tomorrow they will do something, they will start with some players, they will finish with others. We will adapt as always and we will play the game that we think is best for us."

Arteta did have more enthusiastic words for Bukayo Saka, whose return to full fitness represents a significant boost ahead of such a crucial fixture. "Great, that's what we need when we arrive in this stage of the competition – the players not only to be available, but to be in top condition to perform and make the difference," Arteta said. "Bukayo will certainly give us that."

Gyokeres himself underlined Saka's importance to Arsenal's attacking play. "I think he played very well on Saturday," the striker said. "I think when he's in that form, and he's playing like he always is, it's of course amazing for me and all the other guys to have him on the pitch."