MADRID — For Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, the consequences of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final clash at Arsenal may go beyond booking a ticket to Budapest at the end of May.
The Argentine forward, linked with a move to Arsenal as well as to Spanish champions Barcelona, has seemed at times to be getting itchy feet in the Spanish capital, AFP reported.
It is crucial for coach Diego Simeone and the club to convince Alvarez that he can achieve his dreams at Atletico by ousting Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders in London.
Alvarez first invited the rumours. “Maybe yes, maybe no, you never know,” he said in March, when asked if he would still be at Atletico next season.
Later he brushed them away, keen to focus on his team’s chances of silverware this year and worry about his future later – at least in public.
“I try not to pay too much attention to (rumours) because something new comes out every week, new information, and I don’t waste my energy on that,” Alvarez said before the 1-1 first leg draw against Arsenal last week.
“Instead, I try to focus on what we’re doing. It’s the most important time of the season, and I want to be in good shape so I can help the team and do great things here.”
Simeone lavished praise on the forward earlier this season, saying he was the team’s most vital player, and defended him during a run of poor form.
Alvarez repaid him by bouncing back with 10 goals in his last 18 matches, including against the Gunners.
Atletico showed they need have no inferiority complex when they head to the Emirates Stadium, with both sides yet to win the trophy, arguably the biggest clubs never to do so.
Simeone’s side, spearheaded by Alvarez and French veteran Antoine Griezmann, playing out his final days at the club before moving to MLS side Orlando City, had the better of the encounter at their Metropolitano stadium last week.
Arsenal left bemoaning a penalty award which was later cancelled by VAR, but goalkeeper David Raya was called into action far more than Atleti’s Jan Oblak.
