Arsenal news: Julian Alvarez shows true colours as private text messages emerge

 Julian Alvarez spent most of the summer transfer window being linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid, and at one point, it looked as if Arsenal would swoop in and sign the Argentine. But in the days since the transfer window ended, the striker has returned to the fold at Atletico, with his frame of mind having been the topic of discussion.

It comes after Alvarez is said to have told his Atletico bosses that he wanted out of the club, with Barcelona also touted as a potential destination. It didn't transpire, and according to reports in Spain, has returned from his absence refreshed and ready to go again.

The 26-year-old was absent from three consecutive training sessions, citing illness, and didn't travel with the squad to face Sevilla. He made his return in a 3-0 defeat to Athletic Club earlier in September and delivered an impressive display, despite ongoing jeers from the Atleti supporters.

Here, Express Sport has taken a look at the latest news surrounding Alvarez to Arsenal...

Alvarez's true colours

This commitment has now reportedly carried over into training, with AS claiming he is "a new Julian Alvarez."

The Spanish publication stated that the forward participated in a demanding session which centred on pressure, ball circulation and tackling. Alvarez is understood to have found the net during the training session and completed additional conditioning work with a fitness coach while his teammates were stretching.

Atleti boss Diego Simeone addressed the forward ahead of last weekend's fixture, expressing his desire that the collapsed move proved "a learning experience."

Simeone said: "Julian Alvarez will be in the squad tomorrow. He's training well, and we expect the best from him, just as we do from all his team-mates. For me, life is full of opportunities, and Julian now has an opportunity. A lot of the time, we spend our lives judging.

We need to worry less about that and learn more. I hope this has served as a learning experience for him. I hope he's happy and, as [Paulo] Futre [Atletico Madrid's director of football] told him yesterday in a lovely video... that he shows it by scoring goals."

Meanwhile, Lautaro Martinez has publicly backed Arsenal target Alvarez, offering solidarity to the 26-year-old amid his transfer turmoil. The fellow Argentina international has travelled to Madrid with Inter Milan to face Real and offered his perspective on Alvarez's predicament.

The 29-year-old said: "I spoke with him, sent him a message, and showed him my support. Beyond the fact that we share the same position and competed for a spot on the national team, he's a friend.

"The situation he's going through and is going through isn't easy, but the decision is his clubs."

Paying tribute to Alvarez's ability, Martinez went on to say: "I wish him all the best and hope he gets well soon and continues to show what he has shown so far, that he is one of the best players in the world."