Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber were all absent from Arsenal open training before the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.
Mikel Arteta’s side host Atletico at the Emirates Stadium with the tie level after last week’s 1-1 draw in Spain. Mikel Arteta’s side host Atletico at the Emirates Stadium with the tie level after last week’s 1-1 draw in Spain. Arsenal held open training at London Colney on Monday, with Odegaard, Havertz and Timber all absent from the initial section made available open to the media.
Havertz and Timber both missed Saturday’s 3-0 win over Fulham after Arteta confirmed before the game that neither player would be available. Odegaard was also absent from the matchday squad, despite Arteta initially leaving the door open on his captain’s fitness.
Asked before the Fulham match whether Odegaard could feature, Arteta said: “Let’s see.” The Norway international was then not included in the squad at the Emirates.
Havertz’s situation remains particularly important given Arsenal’s need for attacking options against Atletico. The Germany international has been sidelined for a long period this season, and Arteta made clear last week how much Arsenal have missed him.
“Yeah Kai and Jurrien will be out,” Arteta said before the Fulham game.
On Havertz, he added: “He’s been a huge miss. We’re talking about one of the most important attacking players we have, and he’s been out for seven or eight months.
“Unfortunately, he’s not been the only one with long-term injuries and players have been missed. The team has shown an incredible capacity to overcome these kinds of scenarios and still be very, very competitive.”
Arteta had suggested Havertz was pushing to be involved against Atletico, but his absence from open training leaves his status uncertain before the second leg.
“The focus right now has to be on availability and performance, and Kai is desperate to be on the pitch as quickly as possible,” Arteta said. “Hopefully for Atletico, he will be available, and he’s pushing every boundary to achieve that.”
Timber’s absence continues to be a significant loss for Arsenal because of the security he brings as Arteta’s first-choice right-back. Ben White started the first leg in Madrid and remains the natural option to continue there if Timber is unavailable, but the Dutchman’s absence still removes one of Arsenal’s most reliable defensive players from a game of this scale.
Odegaard’s availability may be the biggest question of all. Arsenal coped well without him against Fulham, with Myles Lewis-Skelly impressing in midfield as Eze started in the 10, but the captain’s creativity and control would be valuable in a game where Arsenal may need patience against Diego Simeone’s side.
Arsenal are expected to provide further clarity through Arteta’s pre-match media duties, but Monday’s open training offered no visible sign of the trio. With the tie level and a place in the Champions League final at stake, their fitness will remain one of the main talking points before kick-off.