Arteta provides injury fitness update in Arsenal camp ahead of tricky fixtures
By Luke Oluoch, May 1, 2026Mikel Arteta has confirmed two obvious misses ahead of the Gunners’ UEFA Champions League semifinal return leg clash against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
The North Londoners are angling for a decisive return leg against the Spanish outfit, with Arteta insisting that a final injury update is only expected after their training session on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Two out
Speaking on Friday, May 1, 2026, the coach revealed that Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz remain doubtful for the coming tie and will miss their coming ties.
Fulham Next
Before the Champions League tie, the log leaders will be in London on Saturday, May 2, 2026, to welcome West London neighbours Fulham as they seek to build on their lead at the top of the league.
The tie will kick off at 7:30 pm.
“Kai and Jurrien will all be out. We will have to wait until tomorrow morning to know how everybody is and know the final update. At the moment we have not trained much to have the final update,” he stated.
Odegaard available
He, however, revealed that skipper Martin Ødegaard, who came off in the first leg semifinal clash in Madrid, will be available.
“On Martin I am confident; I think he will be back and he will be okay,” he added.
Arteta on Atletico Draw
Arsenal secured a crucial draw on the road in Tuesday’s encounter to take back to the Emirates Stadium after Victor Gyökeres and Julian Álvarez both converted from the spot.
Reflecting on the encounter, he said: “What an atmosphere to play football in. In the stadium, the passion that they put in was second to none.
“I think we navigated the game in a great way. We knew they were going to have moments of dominance, and in the semi-finals of the Champions League in this stadium, it was very difficult. I’ve seen many big teams get outplayed here and lose three or four. The moment that [Atletico] click, they get that momentum and that energy; they are really dangerous.
“It’s not the result that we wanted, but the good thing is that we have to play the second leg at home in front of our people, and with the chance, if we win again to be in the final,” he added.
Arsenal aims to make it to their first UEFA final since the 2005/06 season, when they narrowly lost to Barcelona.