Arsenal are gearing up for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid and several key stars were absent from training ahead of the game
Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber were all absent from Arsenal training.
Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber were all absent from Arsenal training(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber were all missing from Arsenal's first-team training session this morning (Monday) ahead of their Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid. Mikel Arteta's squad participated in an open training session in preparation for the second leg of their semi-final tie against the Spanish outfit.
The quartet were among the conspicuous absentees from the session, strongly suggesting they'll be unavailable for tomorrow night's fixture in north London. The tie is delicately balanced following a 1-1 draw in Madrid in the opening leg, though the Gunners will feel frustrated not to have secured an advantage after a late spot-kick for a foul on Eberechi Eze was reversed.
The Gunners approach the match off the back of a commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham at the weekend, with Odegaard, Havertz, Merino and Timber all sidelined for the triumph against the Cottagers. There was some uncertainty last week prior to the first leg, with Arteta indicating that Merino was included in the travelling party to Madrid, only to clarify his comments in his pre-match press conference.
It would have represented a significant boost, having the Dutch international back in the matchday squad, but he was absent from training once more. Speaking ahead of the match against Fulham, Arteta said: "Let's see how everybody is tomorrow morning. Obviously, we haven't been able to train much, so tomorrow we will have a final update. Kai [Havertz] and Jurrien [Timber] will be out."
Arteta is due to face the press later today, where he is expected to provide a fresh injury update on the players who sat out the weekend's fixture and training sessions. Havertz hobbled off during the victory over Newcastle United, and Arteta had been hopeful he would be fit for the second leg, yet the German international was nowhere to be seen at training.
Jurrien Timber receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium.
Jurrien Timber suffered an injury during Arsenal's Premier League clash vs Everton. (Image: Alex Pantling, Getty Images)
View 2 Images
The Gunners boss said last week: "Hopefully for Atletico, he will be available. He's pushing every boundary to achieve that."
There had also been optimism that Odegaard might be fit enough to feature against Atleti, but he too was absent from training. Merino, meanwhile, looks set to play no further part this season. As for Atletico, Diego Simeone's side were without Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez for their 2-0 win over Valencia at the weekend.
The Argentinian head coach rotated his side in preparation for the clash with the Gunners, with both forwards doubts for the game.
Content Image
Content Image