Costa travels with Atletico despite previously having 'no chance' of facing Arsenal

Diego Costa's chances of featuring against Arsenal improved Wednesday with the Spanish forward's arrival in London alongside his Atletico Madrid teammates.

He had been previously been ruled out of Thursday's Europa League semi-final encounter at the Emirates Stadium by manager Diego Simeone, who on Saturday said Costa had "no chance" of playing in the first leg because of a hamstring injury.

Despite Simeone's remarks, Costa was included in Atletico's team sheet a day before arriving in the capital Wednesday and taking part in regular training.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

The hamstring problem has forced Costa to miss Atletico's last three matches, but it appears as though the 29-year-old could be available to face an Arsenal team he tormented during his spell with Chelsea by finding the back of the net and getting under the skin of some players from the north London outfit.

Although Costa may be eager to face his old Premier League foe, Simeone was reluctant to confirm his availability before consulting with Atletico's medical team.

"We'll obviously weigh up all the factors," Simeone told reporters, according to the Evening Standard's James Benge. "We'll speak with the footballer and the medical team. I'll be looking to help the team in the best way possible, I won't look to make Diego happy or do whatever suits me."