Arsenal’s Iwobi doubtful for Atletico Madrid crunch tie

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Arsenal’s Iwobi doubtful for Atletico Madrid crunch tie image
Alex Iwobi’s participation in Thursday’s crucial Europa League semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid is in doubt after Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger confirmed the player has a hamstring problem.

The 21-year-old played the entire duration of the Gunners’ 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Sunday, but Iwobi, and goalkeeper David Ospina finished the Premier League encounter with injuries.

Playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also a doubt for the trip to Spain.

The Armenia international returned from the sidelines against his former side, scored the leveller but was forced off in the second half after picking a knock to his recuperating knee.

“Mkhitaryan I took off because he had a little knock on his knee again, the same thing, just looking at him in the dressing room,” Wenger said.

“Ospina has a rib problem and Alex Iwobi has a hamstring problem.

"We’ll see how everyone recovers because Thursday will come around very quickly.”

Last week at the Emirates, a wasteful Arsenal side were held 1-1 by 10-man Atletico - who also had manager Diego Simeone sent off.

And when asked if any of the injured trio will miss the decisive second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano, Wenger said: “Definitely at the moment no.

“But we will have to monitor them in the next 48 hours. We will know more on Tuesday.”

 

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