Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has announced that captain Martin Ødegaard and forward Kai Havertz are both set to play against Atlético Madrid in the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
Ødegaard, who played 57 minutes in the first leg that ended in a 1-1 draw in Madrid last week, is back in action. Havertz, on the other hand, missed the game due to an early injury sustained during Arsenal’s Premier League victory over Newcastle on April 25.
“Yes, both Ødegaard and Havertz are available and part of the squad,” Arteta stated in a news conference prior to the match on Monday. “It’s fantastic to have them back as we need various options. Their presence allows us to adapt our game plan, whether starting or coming on as substitutes, so it’s excellent news.”
This season has been challenging for Ødegaard due to injuries, limiting him to 22 appearances in the Premier League. Havertz faced a long recovery period of four months due to a knee injury and has dealt with ongoing muscular issues.
Additonally, Arsenal star winger Bukayo Saka was unavailable for the first leg but returned in Saturday’s 3-0 victory against Fulham, where he made a significant impact, scoring a goal and providing an assist within just 45 minutes of play.
“It’s fantastic to have players performing at their best as we reach this critical stage of the competition,” Arteta remarked when discussing Saka’s performance. “We need players who are not only available but also in peak condition to make a difference.”
Arsenal aims to reach their second Champions League final, having previously lost to Barcelona in 2006. In contrast, Atlético Madrid seeks to make their fourth appearance in a European Cup final, their first since 2016.
During their league encounter at the Emirates last October, Arsenal triumphed with a 4-0 victory, although the first leg of their current matchup indicates that the competition between the teams has tightened.