In a surprising turn of events, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that both Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz will be available for the upcoming Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. This news comes despite neither player being seen in Monday's open training session, sparking concerns about their fitness.
Odegaard had sustained another knee injury during last week's 1-1 first-leg draw and was absent from Saturday's 3-0 Premier League victory over Fulham. Similarly, Havertz also missed the Fulham match due to a muscle injury he picked up against Newcastle United two weekends ago.
Despite these setbacks, Arteta delivered an unexpectedly positive update at his pre-game press conference. He confirmed that both players would be included in the squad for Tuesday’s game, stating unequivocally: "Yes, they are available."
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, said:
"They are in the squad, both of them. We need options, we need the capacity to play different games tomorrow, whether it’s from the start or after. So it’s really, really good news for us to have them both back.”
Other injury concerns
However, there was no update on right-back Jurrien Timber who is likely to miss out again due to a groin injury sustained over the international break. Midfielder Mikel Merino is also still recovering from a foot operation.
Despite these absences, Arsenal have all other options available for Tuesday’s second leg as they aim to end their 20-year absence from the Champions League final.
On Monday morning, Atletico announced their 25-man squad for the semi-final second leg with manager Diego Simeone receiving a quadruple injury boost ahead of this crucial fixture.
Why Odegaard and Havertz should not start against Atletico Madrid
The availability of Odegaard and Havertz is undoubtedly excellent news for Arsenal; together they have contributed to 17 goals this season despite persistent fitness issues. However, their recurring injuries are a significant concern.
Arteta should consider not rushing them back into the starting XI, especially in Odegaard's case. The Norway international has had three knee-related absences this season, and it remains unclear whether his latest setback is a new injury or an exacerbation of a previous one. Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres' recent performance against Fulham makes him hard to drop from the lineup. Havertz's experiment in the number 10 role has also not been successful; his performances against Southampton, Manchester City and Bournemouth were less than satisfactory.
While the return of Odegaard and Havertz is positive news for Arsenal fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike, Arteta must tread carefully to ensure that these key players are fit for future fixtures.
