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Arsenal have been dealt a new blow ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid as the team’s clinic remains riddled with injuries as manager Mikel Arteta’s 3 pillars were absent from group training at the London Colney Centre.
Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Jürgen Temper missed out on the latest training session, making Wednesday’s clash at the Emirates a doubt, pending what Arteta reveals at his press conference scheduled for tonight.
Disappointing absences at a crucial time
Norwegian captain Martin Odegaard, who started in the first match at “Metropolitano” stadium, had to leave the field a few minutes after the start of the second half due to a muscle injury.
As for Kai Haverts, he was injured during the match before the first game of the championship and has not fully recovered yet.
Mikel Arteta said a few days ago. “We hope that he will be ready for the match against Atletico.”
Gukeris is the closest attack option
In the German’s absence, all signs point to Viktor Gyukiris, who scored a brace in the Premier League last weekend, to continue spearheading the Gunners’ side.
Arteta is expected to rely on the Swedish forward to lead the attack at the Emirates Stadium in an attempt to make up for influential absences and overcome a difficult Spanish challenge.
The decisive press conference that everyone is waiting for
At his press conference this evening, Arteta is expected to give an official update on the fitness of the three players, hours before the clash which could decide the fate of Arsenal’s European campaign.
The Spanish coach realizes that facing Atletico Madrid will be a difficult test in the current conditions, especially with the accumulation of injuries at a crucial time of the season. He hopes that his team will be able to overcome this crisis and restore balance in time to qualify for the Champions League final.
