Kai Havertz, Martin Ødegaard & Jurriën Timberplaceholder image
Kai Havertz, Martin Ødegaard & Jurriën Timber | Getty Images
The latest Arsenal injury news and expected return dates as they prepare to take on Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.
Following a 1-1 draw at the Metropolitano Stadium, Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Atlético Madrid is on a knife-edge ahead of the return leg in the Emirates on Tuesday – and it may tip the scales in the Gunners’ favour if they were able to recall some of their injured stars to the starting line-up.
Kai Havertz and Jurriën Timber both missed the first leg, while Martin Ødegaard was added to the list of potential absentees when he sat out the 3-0 Premier League win over Fulham on Saturday – all three remain doubts as Mikel Arteta prepares for a massive match.
With kick-off fast approaching, we’ve collected all of the latest Arsenal injury news and updates below, along with information on the absent players’ likely return dates when available.
Arsenal hopeful on Havertz & Ødegaard ahead of Atlético Madrid match
Two of Arsenal’s most important attacking players are struggling with injuries in the build-up to Tuesday’s game: Kai Havertz is struggling with a groin issue, while club captain Martin Ødegaard continues to be plagued by a persistent knee problem, with both players forced off the field in recent matches.
Havertz had to be substituted with what Arteta described as a “niggling” injury during last weekend’s win over Newcastle United, while Ødegaard came off just before the hour mark during the first leg of the Champions League tie against Atlético Madrid last Wednesday – and both sat the Fulham game out as a result of those concerns.
Arteta was, however, optimistic when asked by reporters whether either player would be available for the second leg: "I think so, the both of them… They are going to do everything, we are going to do everything, to have them ready."
Of the two, however, Ødegaard is perhaps in a better position to play. While another flair-up of his knee injury is worrying, Arteta had hinted prior to the Fulham match that there was a chance he might play, suggesting that the latest recurrence of the issue isn’t that severe. Havertz, however, was flatly ruled out for Saturday’s game and may face more of an uphill battle to be ready. Both remain doubts as it stands.
Timber injury hampers Arsenal preparations
There has yet to be any truly positive updates on the status of Dutch defender Jurriën Timber, who has been out of action since March with a groin injury. A handful of comments made by Arteta after the last international break had hinted at an April return, but he remains sidelined as does not appear to have been close to completing a comeback last week.
Prior to the Fulham match, Arteta confirmed that Timber was “doing some stuff on the pitch” as he ramps up his rehabilitation, but added that he needs to “be able to do more things before he can compete.” As it stands, a return ahead of the game against Atlético Madrid looks unlikely, although Arteta often plays such things close to his chest. The game against West Ham this Sunday may be a more realistic target.
Arsenal will also be without midfielder Mikel Merino, who is battling to be fit before the end of the season after missing over three months after undergoing surgery on a fractured foot.
Arteta told the media that Merino would “push every boundary” to try and get back to health before the close of the campaign, but he is not yet believed to have returned to full training. The Atlético Madrid fixture will come too soon, and the most optimistic assessment suggests that a mid-to-late May comeback is more likely – with no guarantee that he’s available before the final Premier League fixture of the season on 24 May.
Continue Reading