MADRID, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is once again down to the bare bones of his squad as he prepares for Thursday night's Europa League semifinal first leg away to Arsenal in the Emirates Stadium.
With left-back Felipe Luis out with a broken leg, Juanfran suffering a muscle injury and striker Diego Costa also unlikely to be fit with another muscle problem, Simeone has to carry out a juggling act in a squad which contains just 17 outfield players.
Atletico's training session on Wednesday hinted he is likely to include Kevin Gameiro alongside Antoine Griezmann in attack, while Thomas Partey will play in midfield with Koke and Saul Niguez, despite suffering a minor back problem.
The surprise could be in defense, where Jose Gimenez partners with Diego Godin, who was rested at the weekend.
Costa will travel with a 20-man squad to London, but is unlikely to be able to play and Simeone has also been forced to include two B-team players, Sergi and Olabe.
Arsenal also have selection problems as coach Arsene Wenger looks to bring the curtain down on his 22-year-reign at the club in style. January signings Henrikh Mikhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are cup tied in the Europa League and won't be able to play, while Mohamed Elneny has suffered an ankle injury and could miss the rest of the season, the talented, but injury prone Jack Wilshire is also struggling to be fit with an ankle problem, while Mesut Ozil has been ill, but should be fit to face Atletico.
That means Danny Welbeck, aiming to book a ticket with England to the World Cup finals, and Alexander Lacazette (once a target for Atletico) will lead their attack.
The game is likely to see a contrast in styles with Arsenal aiming to play their flowing passing game, while Atletico aim to keep things tight at the back and hit the side currently sixth in the Premier League.
