Mikel Arteta has confirmed Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are fit for Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid as the Gunners chase a historic night at the Emirates.
Arsenal have received a major double fitness boost ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg, with Mikel Arteta confirming that both Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz will be available despite missing Monday’s open training session.
🔴 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔 ⚪️
🆚 Atletico de Madrid
🕗 8pm (UK)
🏆 Champions League
🏟️ Arsenal Stadium pic.twitter.com/HPsZFyZVin— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 5, 2026
The absence of the Arsenal captain and the German forward from the public portion of training had briefly sparked concern among supporters, but Arteta quickly moved to ease fears by insisting both players are fit enough to be included as the Gunners prepare for one of their biggest European nights in years.
The tie remains delicately balanced at 1-1 following a tense first leg in Madrid, where both sides scored from the penalty spot in a contest dominated by discipline, defensive structure and VAR drama rather than flowing attacking football.
Arteta, however, believes the stage is perfectly set for Arsenal to produce something memorable at the Emirates. The Spaniard admitted he can already feel the energy building around the club and suggested the squad understand just how significant this opportunity is in their pursuit of a first-ever Champions League crown.
Having fallen at the semi-final hurdle last season against eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal now return to the same stage wiser, more battle-tested and with genuine belief that they can take the final step toward Budapest.
Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, also arrive with key man Julian Alvarez fit enough to travel, ensuring Diego Simeone’s side retain their biggest attacking threat. But with the Emirates expected to be at fever pitch and Arteta openly promising that “something amazing” can happen, Arsenal know the ingredients are there for a famous European occasion.
