Barrios, Simeone’s hope for Arsenal test | OneFootball

Pablo Barrios has emerged as Atlético’s major hope ahead of their Champions League tie with Arsenal on Wednesday 29, and he could be a notable inclusion in the starting XI.

He played half an hour against Elche and, as reported by as.com, the plan is for him to get more minutes against Athletic to sharpen his rhythm.

Barrios offers range, ground coverage and late runs into the box, qualities underlined in that Elche cameo and attributes Diego Simeone may lean on against Arsenal.

Injuries have defined his season. Until Elche he had not featured in La Liga since 31 January at Levante, missing the Champions League second leg with Tottenham, both Barcelona meetings in Copa del Rey and Europe, and the Copa final against Real Sociedad.

His issues began on 5 February during the 0-5 Copa win over Betis at La Cartuja, when tests confirmed a right thigh muscle injury and he left midway through the second half. He returned for 21 minutes against Tottenham on 10 March, then suffered a fresh setback in training two days later.

Barrios has 34 appearances this season, 22 in La Liga, nine in the Champions League and three in the Copa, with one league goal and three assists. At 22, and under contract until 2030, his market value stands at 60 million. If available, he could supply attributes Atlético have lacked in recent outings.

Source: as.com