Lookman In Doubt As Atlético Face Arsenal In Champions League Semi-Final Showdown

Ademola Lookman has emerged as a major doubt for Atlético Madrid ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final clash against Arsenal on April 29 after picking up an injury during the Copa del Rey final.

The Nigerian forward, 28, is expected to miss upcoming La Liga fixtures against Elche CF and Athletic Club, raising serious concerns over his availability for the crucial European encounter later this month.

Atlético Madrid confirmed that both Lookman and Alexander Sørloth ended the Copa del Rey final with physical discomfort and have since been placed on individualized recovery programmes.

“The club’s medical services have performed tests that advise maximum caution to avoid the risk of injury, so they will follow an individualised plan in the coming days, working outside the group. The evolution of these discomforts will mark their return to training with their teammates,” the club stated.

According to reports from Marca, the aftermath of the defeat has further complicated the situation, with both players ruled out of immediate action and facing a race against time to be fit for the Arsenal tie.

“For now, Lookman and Sørloth are both injured and will be unavailable for the next two fixtures against Elche and Athletic, while they remain major doubts for next week’s Champions League semi-final against Arsenal,” Marca reported.

Lookman, who was substituted in the second half of the Copa del Rey final, is reportedly dealing with swelling in his adductor muscle and is expected to be sidelined for at least a week.

With Arsenal scheduled to visit the Metropolitano Stadium on April 29, time is running out for the forward to recover, although he has already begun working closely with the medical team in a bid to return in time.

His potential absence would be a significant blow for Atlético Madrid, with Lookman registering 11 goal contributions since his arrival in the winter transfer window, making him one of the club’s most productive attackers during that period. He also became the first Nigerian to score in the Copa del Rey since Finidi George in 1997.