Odegaard has been dealing with a knee issueplaceholder image
Odegaard has been dealing with a knee issue | Getty Images
A look at the early injury news surrounding Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen ahead of their Champions League second leg.
Arsenal return to Champions League action on Tuesday night when they face Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their knockout clash. The Gunners drew with the German side in the first leg, and so it will be a straight knockout clash here, with neither side needing to come back.
The Gunners left it late but beat Everton to strengthen their grip on the Premier League title over the weekend, while Leverkusen produced a big performance to hold Bayern Munich to a draw. Here we round up the early injury news surrounding both teams ahead of this one.
Martin Terrier - Doubt
Terrier picked up an ankle injury over the weekend and will be a big doubt here, given the quick turnaround.
Arthur Augusto - Out
Augusto has a knee injury that will keep him out until some time in April.
Lucas Vasquez - Out
Vasquez has been out since February with a calf injury and there has been no news on his return. He was said to be out for “several weeks”, and there is no sign of his return.
Loic Bade - Out
Bade has a hamstring and will very likely remain out.
Eliesse Ben Seghir- Doubt
Ben Seghir is hoping to return from an ankle issue, but he has missed the last two despite having had a chance to return. He will remain a big doubt here.
Mark Flekken - Out
The goalkeeper is absent and will remain out until the end of the month with a knee issue.
Mikel Merino - Out
Merino is likely going to miss the rest of the season after a foot fracture. Arteta said after the Spaniard’s surgery: “Well, I think the doctors were really happy the way it went. Yeah, now it starts. Obviously, it's a long process. You're talking about bone healing, so you need to be patient. You respect the timings, and I'm sure Mikel is going to do everything that he possibly can to speed up the process. We're talking about months, whether it's three, four or five, we don't know.”
Martin Odegaard - Doubt
Arsenal are still assessing Odegaard’s knee injury and it’s unclear if he can play.
Leandro Trossard - Doubt
Trossard has been close to a return for the last two but has not returned. He will remain a doubt here.
Timber picked up an injury against Everton and will be a big doubt here. It’s unlikely Arsenal will risk him ahead of the Carabao Cup final.
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