Atlético Madrid just made Arsenal's Kai Havertz injury blow not seem so bad with their own

This week, Arsenal travel to Madrid, the footballing capital of the world, to face Atlético Madrid in the Champions League semifinal. The game will be played over two ties, but Diego Simeone's side will be without Pablo Barrios, with the midfielder potentially out for the remainder of the season.

Pablo Barrios recently returned from some significant time on the sidelines, with the hopes of having him fit and available to face Arsenal. The return to the team did not go to plan, and now it's all but confirmed that he will miss both ties against Arsenal.

Not that Arsenal fans will want to think about this, but it's not even fully likely he'll play in the final, if Atleti make it.

Kai Havertz's injury blow suddenly doesn't seem so bad

Arsenal have their fair share of injury concerns, with Kai Havertz going down against Newcastle the latest of the bunch. In a time where fans are desperate to see Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard playing together again, luck just isn't on Arsenal's side.

So, at least Barrios being ruled out for the home side is a plus point for the Gunners. Atleti, of course, have the depth to cover him. Barrios was replaced by Johnny Cardoso before the hour mark at the weekend, which is one potential route for Simeone to start with. Elsewhere, there is Obed Vargas they could call upon.

Barrios is one of those players who, on paper, should be irreplaceable. He's one of Atleti's best assets, but unfortunately for them, he's not had the best season. Giving him consistent game time has been impossible through no fault of his own - injuries have significantly held him back.

Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal is on an even playing field

Atleti vs Arsenal is perhaps the most even game Arsenal fans will see all season. Where Arteta has excelled this season with shutting out attackers, Simeone has a history of excelling in the same area.

What this semifinal ensures is that one of the two greatest teams to never win the Champions League has a place in the final. That's significant, but from Arsenal's perspective, they need to do something they've never done and see it over the line.

There is no priority between the Champions League and the Premier League. In an ideal world, both would be fun, but as we've seen over the last weeks, the world of Arsenal is far from ideal.

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