Injured Alvarez misses Atletico trip as Arsenal transfer saga rumbles on

Julian Alvarez will not travel with Atletico Madrid for Sunday’s La Liga fixture at Real Sociedad’s Reale Arena after the club confirmed he has been withdrawn from the squad due to a muscle overload sustained in training. Atletico’s medical staff conducted tests and ruled him out of the 8pm kick-off in San Sebastian.

The club addressed the absence directly on social media: “Julian will not travel to San Sebastian due to a muscle overload that led to his withdrawal from yesterday’s training session. After conducting the relevant tests, the medical services have ruled out his participation in today’s match.”

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano also confirmed the news, noting Alvarez was “out for Atletico Madrid today and not even travelling with the squad.”

The injury is the latest setback in a difficult start to the season for the 26-year-old Argentine, whose summer was dominated by a protracted transfer saga involving both Arsenal and Barcelona. The Gunners made no secret of their interest in Alvarez as a marquee signing, while Atletico blocked any move to Barcelona on the grounds of domestic rivalry. Despite sustained efforts from manager Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal board, no deal was concluded before the window closed.

Alvarez’s return to Madrid has been far from smooth. He was dropped from Diego Simeone’s squad for the club’s opening league fixture against Malaga and was loudly jeered by Atletico supporters when introduced as a substitute against Villarreal the following week. He did start in a 2-1 Champions League defeat to Liverpool in midweek, but now faces an uncertain spell depending on the severity of the muscle complaint.

With Alvarez sidelined, Ademola Lookman and Kang-in Lee are expected to lead the attack against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have moved on without him. The club have opened the 2026/27 campaign with four wins from four, with Kai Havertz carrying the bulk of their attacking responsibilities in the absence of the signing they pursued all summer.