Atletico Madrid forward Ademola Lookman is expected to return to the starting lineup for the crucial Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal on Tuesday night, according to reports in Spain. The Nigerian international has recovered from an injury that kept him out of recent matches and is predicted to start at the Metropolitano Stadium, as manager Diego Simeone deals with several key absences.
Diario AS reports that Lookman, alongside defender David Hancko, has returned to full training and is fit to feature from the outset. Their returns come at a vital time, with Atletico confirmed to be without the injured Nicolas Gonzalez, Pablo Barrios, and Jose Maria Gimenez for the clash with the Gunners. The loss of Gonzalez, in particular, is a significant blow, as the Argentine winger was reportedly set to start before sustaining an injury in training on Monday.
In addition to Lookman’s inclusion, Spanish media suggests a midfield reshuffle, with Johnny Cardoso poised to start alongside captain Koke Resurreccion. This would allow Marcos Llorente to revert to the right-back position. There is some disagreement between outlets over the central defensive partnership, with Marca indicating Robin Le Normand and Marc Pubill could start, while Diario AS predicts a return for Hancko. Jan Oblak is expected to retain his place in goal over the in-form deputy Juan Musso.
For Arsenal, manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed absences of his own, with Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber ruled out through injury, and Mikel Merino still recovering. The consensus among observers is that Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard will flank striker Viktor Gyokeres in attack, with Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie continuing as full-backs. Arteta stated that the key for his side would be to correctly interpret the moments when Atletico build momentum during the game.
Lookman’s anticipated return provides a major boost to Atletico’s attacking options. The 28-year-old has been a consistent performer since his move to the Spanish capital, offering pace and directness on the wing. His availability offsets the loss of Gonzalez and adds a proven threat in the biggest games, having scored in last season’s Champions League knockout stages. This semi-final represents a chance for Lookman to cement his status as a key figure in Simeone’s plans for the present and future.
The match pits two sides with contrasting recent histories in the competition against each other. Atletico Madrid are seeking a fourth Champions League final appearance, while Arsenal are in their first semi-final in nearly two decades. The outcome of this first leg will heavily influence the tactical approach for the return fixture in London next week, with both managers emphasizing the need for clarity and controlled passion in their pre-match comments. A positive result for Atletico at home is considered essential to their hopes of progressing.
