Lookman doubtful for Arsenal UCL clash

Ademola Lookman is a major doubt for Atlético Madrid’s Champions League semi-final clash against Arsenal after the Nigerian forward suffered an injury in the Copa del Rey final, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 28-year-old is expected to miss upcoming fixtures against Elche and Athletic Club, with concerns growing over his availability for the European tie later this month.

Atlético confirmed that both Lookman and Alexander Sørloth ended the final with physical discomfort and have since been placed on individual recovery programmes to avoid further complications.

“Ademola Lookman and Alexander Sørloth finished the Copa del Rey final with discomfort,” the club stated.

“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 his return to training with his teammates.”

Further reports from marca.com indicate that the impact of the defeat has extended beyond the result itself, with both players now sidelined and facing a race against time to recover ahead of the Arsenal fixture.

“For now, Lookman and Sorloth 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 wrote.

Lookman, who was replaced by Sørloth in the second half of the final, is dealing with swelling in his adductor muscle and is expected to be out for at least a week.

With Arsenal due to visit the Metropolitano on April 29, the timeline leaves little room for recovery, although the forward has begun working with medical staff in a bid to return in time.

Lookman’s potential absence would be a significant blow for Atlético, given his growing influence since arriving in the winter transfer window.

His goal in the Copa del Rey final took his tally to 11 goal contributions, the second highest in the squad during that period, and he also became the first Nigerian to score in the final of the competition since Finidi George in 1997.