{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreihuelqfz5hn2cqj4gtdf4odahcm22jcfealonutvn4w7ubgnzqdxu",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:b7afdzqsmwksxypciqnplglk/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml2ef77ca752"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreibzwnywfsecs5p6tjrhmrus5w2irebgku2ug5b4iculvkjyfgans4"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 81963
  },
  "path": "/2026/05/04/mikel-arteta-confirms-double-injury-boost-ahead-of-arsenal-vs-atletico-madrid-28233683/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-04T19:00:37.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
    "Sport",
    "Atletico Madrid",
    "Champions League",
    "Jurrien Timber",
    "Kai Havertz",
    "Martin Odegaard",
    "Mikel Arteta",
    "Arsenal",
    "Fulham",
    "Newcastle",
    "Sign up to our daily football newsletter",
    "check our sport page",
    "Facebook",
    "Twitter",
    "Instagram",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
  ],
  "textContent": "Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)\n\nMikel Arteta has confirmed that Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are both available for Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.\n\nOdegaard started the first leg but was withdrawn early in the second half before missing Saturday’s 3-0 win over Fulham.\n\nHavertz, meanwhile, has missed the Gunners’ last two games after picking up an injury during their 1-0 win over Newcastle.\n\nBut the pair could be in line to return to the starting lineup at the Emirates on Tuesday as Arsenal bid to reach their first Champions League final since 2006\n\n‘They’re available, in the squad both of them,’ Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference.\n\n‘It’s great. We need options, we need the capacity to play different games tomorrow, whether it’s from the start or after.\n\n‘It’s really, really good news for us to have them both back.’\n\n##  Get personalised football updates every day\n\nSign up to our daily football newsletter and choose your team to get the latest news, rumours and more about your favourite team.\n\nKai Havertz is poised to return to Arsenal’s matchday squad (Picture: Getty)\n\nArsenal, though, will still be without Jurrien Timber as his frustrating end to the season continues.\n\nHavertz’s return to fitness could leave Arteta with a selection conundrum at the top of the pitch given Viktor Gyokeres’ impressive performances in the last week.\n\nThe Swede scored Arsenal’s goal in the first leg from the spot and notched a brace at the weekend against Fulham.\n\nBukayo Saka also impressed against Fulham and looks poisedto start again on Tuesday, having been brought off at half-time on Saturday to manage his comeback from an injury.\n\nOn Saka’s return to fitness, Arteta added: ‘Great, that’s what we need when we arrive in this stage of the competition – the players not only to be available, but to be in top condition to perform and make the difference, and Bukayo will certainly give us that.’\n\n**For more stories like this, check our sport page**.\n\n**Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on**Facebook,** Twitter and Instagram**.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Mikel Arteta confirms double injury boost ahead of Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid"
}