Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz declared fit for Champions League semi-final decider against Atletico Madrid

Key facts

• Mikel Arteta confirmed Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are available for the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.
• The first leg ended 1-1, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring a penalty for Arsenal and Julian Alvarez converting for Atletico.
• Odegaard missed the first leg and the weekend's 3-0 Premier League win over Fulham after coming off against Atletico.
• Havertz missed both the first leg and the Fulham match.
• Bukayo Saka started his first Premier League game since March 14 against Fulham, scoring and assisting.
• Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie are both available, a rare occurrence this season.
• Arsenal top the Premier League table with three games remaining.
• Arsenal were knocked out at the semi-final stage of last season's Champions League by eventual winners Paris St Germain.

Injury boost as Arsenal prepare for decisive clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that captain Martin Odegaard and forward Kai Havertz are both available for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. The tie is finely poised at 1-1 after a first leg in which both goals came from penalties — Viktor Gyokeres for Arsenal and Julian Alvarez for Atletico. Odegaard missed the first leg and Saturday's 3-0 Premier League win over Fulham after being substituted against Atletico last week. Havertz was absent from both matches. Their return provides Arteta with crucial attacking options for the decider.

Arteta: 'We need options and the capacity to play different games'

"Yes, they are available," Arteta told reporters 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 manager also welcomed the return of Bukayo Saka, who started a Premier League game for the first time since March 14 and scored and assisted against 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."

Defensive options: Calafiori and Hincapie both available

Arteta also has the luxury of both Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie being fit simultaneously, a situation the club has rarely enjoyed this season. "They are very different. We rarely had both of them available at the same time for long periods so we're more restricted in terms of the opponent and the connection that we're going to generate throughout the game or with the teammates to choose from there," Arteta explained. "Now, they are both available and that's a great option because they are so different." Injuries have forced Arteta into several changes this season, with players being asked to adapt to different positions.

Simeone changes hotel, jokes about cost

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone revealed his side had changed hotels for the return leg in London, after staying elsewhere during their 4-0 league-phase defeat by Arsenal. Spanish media had suggested superstition, but Simeone laughed off the speculation. "We're better off now than we were in October. And the hotel was cheaper. That's why we changed," he said. Julian Alvarez, who has 20 goals and nine assists in 48 matches this season, was included in Atletico's travelling squad after being substituted late in the first leg and emerging as an injury doubt. "Julian in this type of game is important," Simeone said. "He knows the league very well. Last week's game was very good. I hope that tomorrow he can respond in the way the game wants."

Arsenal's quest for Champions League glory

Arsenal, who top the Premier League table with three games remaining, were knocked out at the semi-final stage of last season's Champions League by eventual winners Paris St Germain. Arteta expressed his anticipation for the match. "I can't wait. I feel the energy in and around the team," he said. "Together we have done a lot of work as a club and as a team. They have been waiting a long time to have this kind of night. Something amazing can happen." The second leg promises to be a tense affair, with both sides possessing quality and motivation to reach the final.

What lies ahead: a night of high stakes

With Odegaard and Havertz back, Arsenal have a full-strength squad to choose from, barring any late setbacks. The return of Saka, who has been recovering from injury, adds further firepower. Atletico, meanwhile, will rely on Alvarez and their disciplined defence to stifle Arsenal's attack. The outcome will determine who advances to the Champions League final, with the winner facing either of the other semi-finalists. For Arsenal, it is an opportunity to end a long wait for European glory; for Atletico, a chance to add to their trophy cabinet under Simeone's guidance.

The bottom line

• Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are both available for the second leg after missing recent matches.
• The tie is level at 1-1 after a first leg decided by penalties from Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez.
• Arsenal have both Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie fit, offering defensive flexibility.
• Atletico changed hotels for the return leg, with Simeone citing cost rather than superstition.
• Arsenal top the Premier League with three games left and were semi-finalists last season.
• Julian Alvarez is fit to play despite being an injury doubt after the first leg.