Arsenal target Julian Alvarez was booed by his own fans during Atletico Madrid's 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Sunday. The forward, who has been linked with a move to the Emirates, was jeered off the pitch and had to be escorted down the tunnel by club staff.
What happened?
Diego Simeone's side turned down an approach from Real Madrid at the start of the summer transfer window, before Barcelona made their intentions clear to sign Alvarez. However, Atleti have stood firm in their refusal to sell to their domestic rivals, leaving Alvarez increasingly frustrated. As of the final 2025 table, Arsenal sat 1st in the Premier League with 85 points, having won 26 games, drawn 7, and lost 5, with a recent form of WWWWW.
Why it matters for Arsenal
The Gunners are aiming to defend their Premier League title and go one step further by lifting the Champions League trophy, and landing Alvarez would send out a powerful message of intent. With their next fixture against Hull City on 2026-11-07, Arsenal will be looking to continue their strong form, having won their last 5 games, including a 3-0 victory over Coventry on 2026-08-21.
What comes next?
Alvarez's remarks about joining Barcelona have sparked a fierce backlash, with posters appearing around Atleti's training ground reading 'JULIAN FUERA' and featuring the striker's No. 19 crossed out. As the transfer window continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will make a move for the Argentine frontman.
