Arsenal are heading into Tuesday evening's UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Atlético Madrid with a significant fitness boost, after Mikel Arteta confirmed that captain Martin Ødegaard and forward Kai Havertz are both available for selection.
Arteta hails the timing of the returns
Speaking at Monday's pre-match press conference, the Arsenal head coach was unambiguous about the boost their availability provides. "Yeah, they are available, they're in the squad, both of them," Arteta said. "It's great because we need options. We need the capacity to play different games, from the start or after. It's really, really good news to have them both back."
Ødegaard managed 57 minutes of last week's 1-1 first-leg draw at the Metropolitano before being withdrawn, while Havertz had not featured at all in Madrid, having picked up an injury during Arsenal's Premier League victory over Newcastle on 25 April. Both players return at precisely the moment the club needs them most.
A season disrupted by injury for both men
It has been a testing campaign on the fitness front for this particular pair. Ødegaard has made just 22 Premier League appearances this season after a series of injury setbacks, while Havertz missed four months with a knee problem and has since encountered further muscular issues. That they are both fit and available for a Champions League semi-final second leg speaks to the work done behind the scenes at London Colney.
Saka's return adds further firepower
The good news for Arsenal does not stop with Ødegaard and Havertz. Star winger Bukayo Saka, who missed the first leg in Spain, returned to action in Saturday's 3-0 Premier League win over Fulham and made an immediate impact — scoring and registering an assist in just 45 minutes on the pitch.
Arteta was equally effusive about Saka's condition. "It's great, that's what we need when we arrive at this stage of the competition — for the players to not only be available, but to be in top condition to perform and make the difference."
What Arsenal need on Tuesday
The tie is finely poised at 1-1 on aggregate, with Arsenal holding the second leg at the Emirates. The Gunners are chasing a place in their second ever European Cup final, having lost the 2006 Champions League final to Barcelona. Atlético Madrid, meanwhile, are targeting their fourth final appearance in the competition and their first since 2016.
It is worth noting that when the sides met in the league phase at the Emirates back in October, Arsenal won 4-0 — but the first leg in Madrid suggested Atlético have found a great deal more parity since then. Antoine Griezmann, according to reports out of the Atlético camp, is confident his side can make history on the night.
- Ødegaard — played 57 minutes in the first leg, now fully available
- Havertz — missed the Madrid tie through injury, returns to the squad
- Saka — scored and assisted in 45 minutes against Fulham on Saturday
The Emirates will be rocking on Tuesday, and with Arteta able to call upon his most influential players, Arsenal go into the second leg with genuine cause for optimism. The noises out of the club are positive — now it falls to the players to deliver when it matters most.
Frequently asked
- Is Ødegaard playing against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday?
- Yes. Mikel Arteta confirmed on Monday that Martin Ødegaard is available and in the squad for the Champions League semi-final second leg at the Emirates.
- What time does Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid kick off on Tuesday?
- The source does not confirm the exact kick-off time, but the match takes place on Tuesday 6 May 2026 at the Emirates Stadium in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg.
- Has Bukayo Saka recovered from injury in time for the Atlético second leg?
- Yes. Saka missed the first leg in Madrid but returned against Fulham on Saturday, scoring and assisting in 45 minutes, and is expected to feature against Atlético.