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Arsenal have received a strong morale boost ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.
Spanish coach Mikel Arteta has confirmed the readiness of team captain Martin Odegaard and forward Kai Havertz to participate in the fateful match to be held at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta said at the press conference. “Yes… (Odegaard and Havertz) are available and they are on the squad list. This is great because we need options. We need the ability to play in different ways, whether it’s from the start or during the game. It’s great to have both back.”
Odegaard, one of the Premier League’s most popular playmakers, played just 57 minutes in the first leg, a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital last week, while Havertz was ruled out after picking up an early injury in Arsenal’s win over Newcastle on April 25.
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Off season
Odegaard has endured an injury-hit season as he made just 22 Premier League appearances, while Havertz missed four months with a knee injury before being dogged by muscle problems following his return.
Saka comes back strong
On the other hand, star winger Bukayo Saka, who missed the first leg at the Metropolitano Stadium, made a remarkable comeback in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Fulham, scoring a goal and assisting an assist in just 45 minutes of action.
Arteta commented on Saka’s return, saying: “It’s great and it’s what we need when we get to this stage of the tournament. So that the players are not only available but at their best and making a difference.”
A historic quest for both teams
Arsenal are looking to reach their second ever Champions League final after losing the 2006 final to Barcelona 1-2 in Paris, while Atletico Madrid are aiming to reach their fourth final and first since 2016 when they lost to rivals Real Madrid on penalties.
Since October, that difference has narrowed
When the two teams met at the Emirates Stadium in the league stage in October, Arsenal thrashed their Spanish visitors 4-0 in an impressive display of strength.
But last week’s first leg showed that the gap between the two teams has narrowed significantly since that encounter, signaling an open encounter for all possibilities.
