Barcelona captain and Catalonia talisman Carles Puyol is set to return from his mid-January knee injury for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Arsenal, according to reports. The 32-year-old central defender has returned to full training but will likely be withheld from this weekend’s match against Real Zaragoza. The Blaugrana are unlikely to be troubled by the relegation-battlers’ visit to the Nou Camp, while Puyol’s presence will be direly needed on Tuesday.
Carles Puyol Set To Return For Barcelona’s Match Against Arsenal
That's because Gerard Piqué will be out of the team, suspended for yellow card accumulation after the first leg in London. With Puyol's fitness uncertain, Barcelona was facing the prospect of starting Eric Abidal, Gabriel Milito, possibly Sergio Busquets in central defense. With Puyol back, Pep Guardiola will likely partner his captain and Abidal, electing to start Maxwell on the left.
Without Puyol, Barcelona lost the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, 2-1 in North London. Last year, Barcelona drew 2-2 at the Emirates before returning to Camp Nou to defeat Arsenal 4-1 in the quarterfinals.
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