Odegaard and Havertz Fit as Arsenal Eye ‘Something Amazing’ vs Atletico

Mikel Arteta speaks to press

The tie is poised at 1-1 after penalties from Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez in the first leg in Madrid.

Diego Simeone joked Atletico changed hotels for cost reasons, as Alvarez made the squad despite going off injured in the first leg...

Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz were missing from open training, but Mikel Arteta said both are fit to face Atletico Madrid in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg at the Emirates, with the tie level at 1-1.

The first leg in Madrid finished 1-1, with both goals coming from penalties. Viktor Gyokeres scored for Arsenal and Julian Alvarez netted for Atletico.

“They are available, both in the squad. Great, because we need options and the capacity to play in the squad,” Arteta told ‌reporters on Monday.

Arsenal sit top of the Premier League with three games left, after being knocked out in last season’s Champions League semi-finals by eventual winners PSG.

“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.”

Atletico manager Diego Simeone said the team switched hotels for the London return leg after staying elsewhere during the 4-0 league-phase loss to Arsenal. He joked the move was about cost, even as Spanish media pointed to superstition.

“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.

Set the tone. pic.twitter.com/JStWMrWXZy

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 4, 2026

Julian Alvarez, who has 20 goals and nine assists in 48 games across all competitions this season, made Atletico’s travelling squad after being subbed late in the first leg and becoming an injury doubt. The 26-year-old Argentine World Cup winner previously played for Manchester City.

“Julian 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 wants.”