Alvarez the main man

ATLETICO: ARGENTINE WILL BE A KEY AGAIN WHEN THEY TAKE ON ARSENAL

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JULIAN ALVAREZ

(Picture: EPA)

Julian Alvarez has established himself as Atletico Madrid’s key player but the club still need to prove to the Argentina international they belong among Europe's elite and can fulfil his ambitions.

The Rojiblancos visit to last season's semifinalists Arsenal in the Champions League tonight is a fine opportunity to test their mettle.

Diego Simeone’s side are unbeaten in six games across all competitions since they fell to a last minute defeat by Liverpool at Anfield in September.

Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage time winner left Atletico with a familiar sinking feeling and compounded what had been a poor start domestically, on the back of a trophyless 2024/25 campaign.

In the following days there was renewed speculation Barcelona were interested in signing the striker next summer as a replacement for veteran Robert Lewandowski.