Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has provided the latest team news before his side face Atletico Madrid in a Champions League semi-final second leg
19:08, 04 May 2026Updated 19:21, 04 May 2026
Mikel Arteta gave some big Arsenal injury updates before the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid
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Mikel Arteta gave some big Arsenal injury updates before the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid(Image: (Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images))
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that both Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are available for Arsenal's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium.
When asked for an injury update on both, he said: "Yeah they are available, both in the squad. On having them back, he added: "Great, because 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.
Both players suffered minor issues late last month but Arteta has revealed they have overcome those and will be in the squad on Tuesday evening. That is a significant double boost and also a slightly surprising one after neither were spotted in open training on Monday.
Jurrien Timber was also not seen on the grass at London Colney with the Netherlands international approaching two months out due to an injury.
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Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori are recent returners with the former making his first start in over a month in the 3-0 win over Fulham this past weekend.
He only played the first 45 minutes but reminded everyone of his quality with an assist for Viktor Gyokeres and a goal of his own.
On how happy he is to have him back, Arteta said: "Great, that’s what we need when we arrive in this stage of the competition. So the players can arrive and help us."
Gyokeres grabbed a second just before half-time with the gap to Manchester City at the top increasing to six points.
He was another Arsenal star taken off early with Declan Rice, who started at the base of midfield, also withdrawn. Those decisions saw Martin Zubimendi given a slight rest with Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield.
That 3-0 victory has taken Arsenal to within three games of Premier League title glory and they are also pushing to be in a Champions League final. The first leg in Spain ended level with penalties scored by both teams.
Atletico were without some players for that match and also lost key stars during the European semi-final with Julian Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone forced off.
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However, both have been named in their travelling squad with Alexander Sorloth, who was also a doubt, included. That trio are joined by Jose Gimenez, who looks set to return from an extended absence with injury.