Arsenal will be hoping to see off Atletico Madrid in their second-leg clash tomorrow but Mikel Arteta has been hit by unfortunate team news ahead of the game.
The Gunners got back to winning ways in style by beating Fulham this weekend, with the return of Bukayo Saka a particular highlight.
However, while Saka’s return from injury is a welcome one, it appears that others haven’t been so lucky ahead of facing Atletico.
Indeed, in the final training session before facing the Spaniards, Arsenal were missing four key players.
You’re Mikel Arteta…who is your NUMBER ONE big summer signing this year?
Arsenal quartet miss training before Atletico Madrid clash
Mikel Arteta was hoping for some good news ahead of the game with Atletico but it appears that he hasn’t had the luck he wanted.
According to reporters from the training ground, the foursome of Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber have all missed the session.
Arteta was hoping to have Havertz back involved but once again, it appears the German is nursing a problem.
Captain Odegaard was another the Arsenal boss was looking forward to having available again but as yet, there’s no sign of his return.
Merino is a long-term problem, while Timber’s recovery seems to be taking longer than expected.
Good news for Viktor Gyokeres despite Arsenal’s injuries
For whatever reason, Arteta has opted to go with Kai Havertz most of the time in the big games.
But with the German now out, it will give the in-form Viktor Gyokeres his chance to lead the line and fire Arsenal to the Champions League final.
Gyokeres looked brilliant against Fulham as he scored twice and he seems to have hit his stride at just the right time during the season.
With Saka also returning and looking sharp, there is a real hope among Arsenal fans that the Gunners have enough in the final third to really cause Atletico problems.
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