Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and striker Kai Havertz were absent from open training ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, but manager Mikel Arteta said both players are available for selection, with the match drawn at 1-1.
Both goals in the first leg in Madrid came from penalties, with striker Viktor Gyokeres scoring for Arsenal and Julian Alvarez converting for Atletico.
«They are available, both in the squad. Great, because ‘we need options and the capacity to play in the squad,'» Arteta told reporters on Monday.
Arsenal, who sit at the top of the Premier League with three games to go, were knocked out in the semi-finals of the Champions League last season by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
«I can’t wait. I feel the energy in and around the team,» said Arteta. “Together we have done a lot of work as a club and as a team.
«They have been waiting a long time for this kind of evening. Something great can happen.»
Meanwhile, Atletico manager Diego Simeone said his side had switched hotels ahead of the second leg in London after staying elsewhere during their 4-0 defeat to Arsenal. He joked that the decision was down to costs, despite Spanish media reports suggesting superstition.
«We are better off now than in October. And the hotel was cheaper. That’s why we changed,» Simeone said with a laugh.
On the injury front, Alvarez – who has 20 goals and nine assists in 48 appearances in all competitions this season – was included in Atletico’s traveling squad after being substituted late in the first leg and his injury being in doubt.
The 26-year-old Argentinian World Cup winner previously played for Manchester City.
“Julian is important in these types of games,” Simeone said. «He knows the competition very well. Last week’s match was very good. I hope he can respond tomorrow the way the match wants.»
Published on May 5, 2026
