Odegaard and Havertz return for Arsenal's Champions League semi-final decider against Atlético Madrid

Key facts

• Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are in the squad for the second leg after missing the first leg and recent Premier League games.
• Odegaard was forced off after an hour in the first leg due to a knee issue; Havertz missed the first leg with a muscular problem.
• Bukayo Saka started a Premier League game for the first time since March 14, scoring and assisting in the 3-0 win over Fulham.
• Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie are both available at left-back, a rare occurrence this season.
• Jurrien Timber remains sidelined with an ankle injury since the League Cup final on March 22.
• Mikel Merino is recovering from surgery on a fractured foot sustained in January and is unlikely to feature soon.
• The first leg ended 1-1 in Madrid, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the decisive match at the Emirates.

Double fitness boost ahead of 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 Atlético Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. The duo missed the first leg, which ended 1-1 in the Spanish capital, as well as Saturday's 3-0 Premier League victory over Fulham. “They are available, they are in the squad, both of them,” Arteta said during his pre-match press conference on Monday evening. “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 returns come at a critical juncture for Arsenal, who are on the verge of their first Champions League final since 2006. The club has not reached the European Cup final for two decades, and Arteta acknowledged the weight of the occasion.

Odegaard and Havertz injury concerns

Odegaard was forced off after an hour of the first leg in Madrid after his ongoing knee issue flared up. Havertz pulled up with a muscular problem in the 1-0 win over Newcastle United prior to the first leg, and also missed the Fulham match. Both players had been pushing to be involved, with Arteta stating before and after the Fulham game that they were working hard to return. Their absence from an open training session earlier this week had raised doubts, but Arteta’s confirmation allayed fears. The manager declined to specify whether they would start or be used as substitutes, keeping Atlético manager Diego Simeone guessing.

Saka in top condition; defensive options return

Bukayo Saka, who started a Premier League game for the first time since March 14, scored and assisted in the win over Fulham, signaling his return to top form. “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 defense, Arteta now has both Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie available at left-back, a luxury he has rarely enjoyed this season. “They are very different,” he explained. “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. Now they are both available and that’s a great option because they are so different.”

Injuries force squad rotation throughout season

Injuries have forced Arteta into numerous changes this season, with players often asked to play unfamiliar roles. The absences of Odegaard and Havertz in recent weeks have tested the squad’s depth, but the return of key personnel offers tactical flexibility. Jurrien Timber remains sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in the League Cup final on March 22, and Arteta provided little encouragement regarding his return: “He’s 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.” Mikel Merino is also recovering from surgery on a fractured foot suffered in January, and his availability for the remainder of the season is uncertain.

Arteta calls for home support to drive team to final

With the tie finely balanced after a tense 1-1 draw in Madrid, Arteta is banking on a raucous atmosphere at the Emirates to propel his side past Diego Simeone’s disciplined Atlético. “I can’t wait. I feel the energy in and amongst the team, our supporters, so these are the moments that we want to live together,” he said. “We had a lot of work as a club, as a team, after 20 years to be in this position again, and we are so hungry to get a game that we want tomorrow and go through to the final.” Arteta urged his players to seize the opportunity: “I don’t think messages are needed. It’s what is at stake; it says it all. It’s the occasion, it’s the moment, it’s the game. Let’s live this together and let’s make it happen. Go and grab it. When you are in front of such an opportunity, it means that you are ready to deliver, and the team is going to go from the first minute to go and get that.”

Outlook: a defining night for Arsenal’s season

Arsenal have played 58 matches this season, and the second leg against Atlético represents the culmination of their European campaign. With Odegaard and Havertz back, Saka in form, and defensive options restored, Arteta has his strongest squad available at the most important moment. The winner will advance to the Champions League final, a stage Arsenal have not reached since 2006. Atlético, known for their defensive resilience under Simeone, will pose a formidable challenge. But Arteta’s side, buoyed by home support and key returnees, believe they can write a new chapter in the club’s history. The outcome will define not only this season but also the trajectory of Arteta’s project.

The bottom line

• Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are available for the second leg after missing recent matches due to injury.
• Bukayo Saka is in top condition after scoring and assisting in his first Premier League start since March 14.
• Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie are both fit, offering Arteta tactical variety at left-back.
• Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino remain sidelined with long-term injuries.
• Arsenal need to win or draw with a score of 2-2 or higher to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years.
• Arteta has called on the Emirates crowd to create an intense atmosphere to help the team overcome Atlético Madrid.