The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal is almost here, and both managers — Diego Simeone and Mikel Arteta — are dealing with significant injury concerns. Here is the latest confirmed Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal Injury list and unavailable players as of April 29, 2026.
Both Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal have absentees for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. In the 2025-26 La Liga season, Atlético have struggled with poor league form, while over in England, Arsenal are back in action, sitting at the top and pushing hard for the 2025-26 Premier League title.
In quarterfinals, Atlético Madrid advanced to the semifinals with a 3–2 aggregate victory over Barcelona, while Arsenal eliminated Liverpool with a 4–0 aggregate win.
Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal Injury List
On Wednesday, 29 April 2026, both Atlético Madrid and Arsenal are dealing with significant absences. Kai Havertz is the major fresh casualty for the Gunners, while Atlético will be without influential midfielder Pablo Barrios.
Here is the detailed Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal Injury List below –
Atlético Madrid Injury List (vs Arsenal)
Confirmed Out / Ruled Out:
- Pablo Barrios (Midfielder) — Thigh/hamstring muscle injury. He is expected to miss both legs of the semi-final and could be sidelined until late May.
- Nico González (Winger) — Fresh thigh injury picked up recently. Out for at least a couple of weeks.
Major Doubts / Likely Absent:
- José María Giménez (Centre-back) — Muscle injury. Has missed the last six games and is very unlikely to feature tonight.
- Ademola Lookman (Winger) — Muscle/adductor issue. Has not returned to full training and remains a major doubt, though some reports suggest he could be pushed for a place on the bench.
- David Hancko (Centre-back) — Ankle injury. He has rejoined training but was not fit enough for the weekend game and is still touch-and-go.
| Player | Injury Type | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pablo Barrios | Hamstring | Out | Could miss the rest of the season |
| José María Giménez | Muscular | Doubt | Racing to prove fitness; likely out |
| Ademola Lookman | Muscle | Doubt | Trained Tuesday but in “discomfort” |
| David Hancko | Ankle | Doubt | Returned to light training recently |
Good News for Atlético:
- Julián Álvarez (Striker) is fit and expected to start after missing recent matches.
- David Hancko and Ademola Lookman are being pushed to be available if possible.
Atlético will miss key midfield energy from Barrios and defensive solidity from Giménez, forcing Simeone to reshuffle his backline and midfield.
Arsenal Injury List (vs Atlético Madrid)
Confirmed Out / Ruled Out:
- Kai Havertz (Forward) — Muscular injury picked up against Newcastle. Arteta confirmed he will miss this first leg.
- Jurrien Timber (Right-back) — Ankle injury. Not in the traveling squad and remains sidelined.
- Mikel Merino (Midfielder) — Foot fracture (post-surgery). Still not ready and will miss the semi-final.
| Player | Injury Type | Status | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kai Havertz | Muscle (Thigh) | Out | Expected early May |
| Jurrien Timber | Muscular | Out | Unknown; training on pitch |
| Mikel Merino | Foot (Fracture) | Out | Potentially late May |
| Martin Zubimendi | Illness | Doubt | Traveled with the squad |
Positive Updates for Arsenal:
- Eberechi Eze is fit and available after a muscular niggle.
- Riccardo Calafiori has also recovered and is in contention for the squad.
- Bukayo Saka is expected to feature (possibly from the start) after recovering from his Achilles issue.
Arsenal are missing important depth in attack (Havertz) and at right-back (Timber), but the return of Eze gives Arteta more creative options in midfield.
Key Absentees for Tonight’s Semi-Final
| Team | Confirmed Out | Major Doubts | Available Boosts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlético Madrid | Pablo Barrios, Nico González | Giménez, Lookman, Hancko | Julián Álvarez (fit) |
| Arsenal | Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino | – | Eberechi Eze, Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka |
This semi-final is finely balanced. Atlético will feel the absence of Barrios’ dynamism in midfield, while Arsenal must cope without Havertz’s presence up front and Timber’s versatility at the back.
Match Details:
- Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
- Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid
- Kick-off: 21:00 CEST (8:00 PM BST / 3:00 PM ET)
Both teams will need to dig deep tactically to cover for their missing players. The second leg at the Emirates Stadium on May 5 promises to be even more intense.
Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal: H2H Record
- Total matches: 6
- Atletico Madrid wins: 1
- Arsenal wins: 1
- Draws: 4
Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal Predicted XI Lineups (Confirmed)
- Atlético Madrid XI vs Arsenal: Jan Oblak; Nahuel Molina, Robin Le Normand, Clément Lenglet, Matteo Ruggeri; Giuliano Simeone, Marcos Llorente, Koke, Rodrigo Mendoza; Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez
- Arsenal XI vs Atlético Madrid: David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Piero Hincapié; Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard; Viktor Gyökeres
