SOCCER: Arsenal boss Arteta says Odegaard and Havertz available for Atletico decider

LONDON – Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard and forward Kai Havertz missed the club’s open training session ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Atlético Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, but manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that both players are available for selection. The tie remains finely balanced at 1-1.

Both goals in the first leg in Madrid came from penalties, with Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres opening the scoring before Atlético’s Julián Álvarez equalized from the spot to keep the contest level going into the return match.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Arteta emphasized the importance of having a full squad available for such a crucial fixture. He said both Ødegaard and Havertz are part of the squad and noted that having multiple options will be vital in a high-stakes European night.

Arsenal, who currently lead the Premier League with three matches remaining, were eliminated at the semifinal stage of last season’s Champions League by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain. Arteta expressed excitement ahead of the decisive match, saying he can feel the energy around the team and believes something special could happen with the support of their home crowd.

“I can’t wait. I feel the energy in and around the team,” Arteta 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.”

On the other side, Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone addressed his team’s preparations ahead of the return leg in London. He revealed that the squad changed hotels compared to their previous visit, joking that the decision was influenced by cost rather than superstition, despite speculation in Spanish media.

“We’re better off now than we were in October. And the hotel was cheaper. That’s why we changed,” Simeone said with a laugh.

Atlético forward Julián Álvarez, who has 20 goals and nine assists across all competitions this season, was included in the traveling squad after being substituted late in the first leg amid injury concerns. The 26-year-old World Cup winner, formerly of Manchester City, remains an important attacking option for Simeone’s side.

“Julián 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 demands.”

-Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters