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Atletico Madrid host Arsenal in the first-leg of the Champions League semi-finals next week at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano
Arsenal have been dealt a potential blow after Diego Simeone revealed Alexander Sorloth and Ademola Lookman could be back in action for Atletico Madrid this weekend.
On Monday, following Atletico's Copa del Rey final defeat to Real Sociedad, the club confirmed via a statement that the attacking duo were set to train separately from the group after feeling discomfort.
At the time, their involvement in next week's Champions League semi-final first leg in Madrid was plunged into major doubt.
However, Simeone claims Atleti's doctors reckon both now have a chance of playing versus Athletic Club at the weekend before the showdown with Arsenal.
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Simeone said: “We’ll monitor Sorloth and Lookman after their minor injuries and see if they can recover for Saturday, the doctors say it’s possible."
The Argentine also confirmed defender David Hanko is set to be assessed while fellow centre-back Gimenez will not be available to face Elche this evening.
Simeone added: "[Jose Maria] Giménez is still unlikely, and we’ll assess [David] Hanko as well.”
Atletico play twice - Elche and Bilbao - before hosting Arsenal while the Gunners are back in action on Saturday when Newcastle visit the Emirates Stadium.
Manager Simeone is looking for a reaction to Saturday's Copa del Rey defeat and Atletico are still yet to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
He said: "Bouncing back from the Copa del Rey defeat? First, you have to accept it. There’s another team on the other side that wants to win and earns it. Life is about accepting the lessons from the paths ahead of us.
"Physical and mental recovery? We have to start again. Focus on tomorrow’s match and put our energy into doing things right. When the Champions League comes, we need to be in the best shape possible, but for that, we have to start by being good tomorrow."
Atletico fans have already sold out all home tickets for next week's game versus Arsenal at the Metropolitano, for which Simeone is incredibly grateful.
He said, addressing the club's passionate supporters: "We’ve given them reasons to believe in what we’re building, to feel we can reach that level. Once you get there, you might win or you might not. The fans were incredible the other day. Nothing but words of gratitude for them.
"You’re looking for messages to make people feel like victims, but we are not victims of anything. There’s nothing else to do but keep moving forward."
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