Arsenal's Havertz and Odegaard return for decisive Champions League semi-final second leg

Key facts

• Kai Havertz missed the first leg and the weekend win over Fulham due to a muscular problem.
• Martin Odegaard was forced off after an hour in Madrid with a knee issue and missed the Fulham game.
• Both Havertz and Odegaard are in the squad for the second leg, Arteta confirmed on Monday.
• Bukayo Saka started his first Premier League game since March 14 and scored against Fulham.
• Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié are both available for selection, a rare occurrence this season.
• Jurrien Timber remains sidelined with an ankle injury and has not played since the League Cup final on March 22.
• Mikel Merino is recovering from foot surgery in January and faces a race to feature before season's end.
• Havertz has made only 20 appearances this season due to multiple injuries, including a four-month layoff after knee surgery in August.

Arteta confirms key duo available for decisive clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard will be available for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atlético Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. The pair missed the first leg in Madrid, which ended 1-1, and Saturday's 3-0 Premier League win over Fulham. “Yes, they are available,” Arteta said at Arsenal Stadium on Monday evening. “They are in the squad, both of them. 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.” The return of Havertz and Odegaard comes at a critical juncture, with the tie finely poised after last week's draw. Arsenal will need creativity and firepower to break down a typically resilient Atlético side coached by Diego Simeone.

Havertz's injury-plagued season reaches another crossroads

Kai Havertz's season has been defined by a series of setbacks. The Germany forward has been restricted to just 20 appearances after a knee injury on the opening day against Manchester United in August required surgery and kept him out for four months. He has completed only one full game this season, the 2-1 defeat by title rivals Manchester City last month. Earlier in the campaign, Havertz suffered a hamstring injury during a winter training camp in Dubai in February 2025, which also required surgery and sidelined him for three months. After recovering from the knee injury, he suffered two further muscular setbacks, the latest ruling him out of the first leg in Madrid. “This season is not what I expected it to be,” Havertz said earlier this campaign. “It has been stop and start.” The 26-year-old admitted that going through a major injury was a new experience and that he “hasn't really faced a challenge like this before.”

Odegaard's knee issue and Timber's absence add to Arteta's selection puzzle

Martin Odegaard, Arsenal's captain, was forced off after an hour in Madrid as his ongoing knee issue flared up. He missed the weekend's win over Fulham but has now been declared fit. Arteta had been hopeful of welcoming both Odegaard and Havertz back, but the manager's pre-match comments suggested any decision would be taken late. Jurrien Timber remains sidelined with an ankle injury and has not featured since the League Cup final on March 22. Last week, Arteta said the Dutchman was “doing some stuff on the pitch at the moment, but we need to get the gears up and be able to do more things before he can compete with us.” That update offered little encouragement for a return this season. Mikel Merino is also facing a race against time to feature in the final month of the season, continuing his recovery after surgery on a fractured foot sustained in January.

Saka's return and defensive depth provide Arteta with tactical flexibility

Bukayo Saka started a Premier League game for the first time since March 14 when he scored and assisted in the 3-0 victory over Fulham. “That’s what we need when we arrive at this stage of the competition,” Arteta said. “The players not only have to be available, but to be in top condition and make the difference. Bukayo will certainly give us that.” In defence, Arteta now has both Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié available, a luxury the team has rarely enjoyed this season. “They are very different. We rarely had both of them available at the same time for long periods,” Arteta noted. “Now, they are both available and that’s a great option because they are so different.” The availability of multiple attacking and defensive options gives Arteta the ability to adapt his game plan against Atlético, who will look to exploit any weaknesses after the first-leg stalemate.

Arsenal's attacking struggles and reliance on set pieces

The Gunners have been criticised for their attacking play this season and their reliance on set-piece goals. Injuries to key players like Havertz and Odegaard have disrupted their rhythm, while the team has often struggled to break down deep-lying defences. Arsenal signed Viktor Gyökeres in the summer for £64 million with the aim of both players competing for the starting striker spot. However, Havertz's injury problems have limited his contribution, and the team has at times lacked a consistent goal threat from open play. Arteta has described Havertz as a “genetic powerhouse” and a “robust” player who has “destroyed metrics in the gym,” but the reality is that the German has not been able to translate that physical potential into consistent on-pitch availability.

What lies ahead for Havertz and Arsenal's season

Havertz's future at Arsenal remains uncertain given his injury history. The 26-year-old has expressed frustration with his stop-start campaign, and the club will need to assess whether his physical issues are a long-term concern. With Gyökeres now in the squad, competition for places will only intensify. For now, Arteta is focused on the immediate challenge: overturning a 1-1 deficit against Atlético Madrid to reach the Champions League final. “We need options, we need the capacity to play different games,” the manager said, underscoring the importance of having Havertz and Odegaard back. The second leg at the Emirates promises to be a defining moment in Arsenal's season, with the fitness of key players likely to determine whether they can advance to the final.

The bottom line

• Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are available for the second leg after missing the first leg and recent league games.
• Havertz has made only 20 appearances this season due to multiple injuries, including a four-month layoff after knee surgery.
• Bukayo Saka is back to full fitness, having started his first Premier League game since March 14 and scoring against Fulham.
• Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino remain sidelined, with Timber not playing since March 22 and Merino recovering from foot surgery.
• Arteta now has both Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié available, offering tactical flexibility in defence.
• Arsenal's attacking play has been criticised this season, with a heavy reliance on set-piece goals.