Alerta Barrios: Se retira lesionado… ¡peligra el Arsenal!
Atlético Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey was forced off injured during the La Liga match against Athletic Club on Saturday, April 25, 2026, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming Champions League clash against Arsenal.
The 30-year-old Ghanaian international left the field in the 57th minute at the Metropolitano Stadium after appearing to suffer a muscular issue, according to match reports from MARCA and Infobae. Atlético Madrid secured a 3-2 victory despite the setback, with goals from Antoine Griezmann, Ángel Correa, and Rodrigo De Paul securing the win.
Atlético manager Diego Simeone confirmed after the match that Partey’s injury is being evaluated, stating, “We will see how he evolves in the coming days. It’s too early to say anything definitive.” The club has not released an official medical bulletin as of Saturday evening.
The timing is particularly concerning for Atlético’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Arsenal, scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Emirates Stadium. The first leg ended in a 2-2 draw at the Metropolitano, making Partey’s potential absence a significant blow to Simeone’s midfield options.
Partey has been a cornerstone of Atlético’s midfield this season, starting 32 matches across all competitions and contributing 4 goals and 6 assists. His physical presence and ability to break up opposition play have been vital to Simeone’s tactical setup.
In his absence, Atlético could turn to Rodrigo De Paul or Pablo Barrios to fill the void in central midfield. Barrios, a 21-year-old academy product, has made 18 appearances this season but has struggled with consistency, starting only 7 league matches.
Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, will look to capitalize on any weakness in Atlético’s midfield as they seek to overturn the 2-2 draw and advance to the Champions League semifinals. The Gunners have been in strong form, winning their last 5 Premier League matches and scoring 15 goals in that span.
As of Saturday evening, neither club has provided an official update on Partey’s condition. Atlético Madrid’s medical team is expected to conduct further assessments on Sunday to determine the severity of the injury and the player’s availability for the Arsenal match.
The Champions League quarterfinal second leg between Atlético Madrid and Arsenal will seize place on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 9:00 PM local time (8:00 PM BST / 3:00 PM ET) at the Emirates Stadium in London.
Stay tuned to Archysport for the latest updates on Thomas Partey’s injury and all Champions League developments.
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