Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in Spain in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday night after a 1-0 win over Newcastle in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta gives an update on Arsenal’s injury situation (Image: Ryan Pierse/UEFA via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal will be without Kai Havertz for Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final first leg. Havertz was forced off with an injury in Saturday’s game against Newcastle and will not feature in the match in the Spanish capital.
The Gunners suffered two injuries in Saturday’s 1-0 win against Newcastle, with Havertz and goalscorer Ebelesi Eze sent off. In his pre-match press conference, Arteta explained the latest news for his team.
“Kai is out, but Evs is ready,” Arteta said. Asked about Riccardo Calafioli and Bukayo Saka, Arteta said: “Those two will be available tomorrow.”
However, Arteta admitted he does not know when Timber will be able to return from his groin injury, despite playing strange mind games over the defender’s fitness.
Timber was sent off during Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Everton on March 14, missed the remaining eight games with a groin injury and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
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Arteta later said Timber was scheduled to return to action alongside Calafioli, but when asked about that he quickly backed off and could not confirm when he would return.
He added: “We don’t know yet. He’s doing something on the pitch right now. He needs to do something more before he can compete with us.”
Arteta described Havertz and Eze’s injuries as “small minor injuries” on Saturday, but the German’s problem is clearly more serious. For the Gunners, Havertz will be sidelined, but Victor Goqueres could be included in the starting XI.
Arsenal topped the Champions League before defeating Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting Lisbon in the knockout stages. They remain unbeaten in this competition this season and Diego Simeone understands how difficult the task will be for the home side.
“We are facing a tough match against a very good opponent, but as I often said at the beginning, our set-piece strategy is working very well and we will go into it with excitement,” said the Atletico Madrid coach.
Kai Havertz left injured against Newcastle (Image: Izzy Poles/AMA)
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“I always say it’s good to dream, but the reality is what happens on earth. And what happens on earth is what we do and what God wants us to do. That’s what we do.”
“To be honest, there’s no pressure. There’s no pressure. There’s responsibility. There’s excitement that the club is getting closer to bigger goals than it’s ever achieved before. And of course there’s extra excitement.”
“And we have to prepare well. We’re going to play the game we want to play, the game we envision. And like we always say, we’re going to take the game to where we want it so we can do damage to our opponents.”
Arsenal predict Eleven vs Atletico Madrid: Raya. Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie. Zubimendi, rice. Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli. Gokeres
Atlético XI: Oblak. Molina, Le Normand, Langret, Ruggeri. Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Gonzalez. Griezmann, Alvarez
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