Manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Martin Odegaard and Julian Timber will be absent from Arsenal’s crucial Champions League round of 16 second leg against Bayer Leverkusen.
The announcement was a huge blow to the Gunners, who are hoping to qualify for the quarter-finals after a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany.
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In Monday’s pre-match press conference, Arteta spoke candidly about the possibility of signing his captain and star defender.
“Julian Timber and Martin Odegaard will be absent tomorrow against Bayer Leverkusen,” the coach said (quoted by Fabrizio Romano).
Arsenal will be without key players against Bayer Leverkusen
Odegaard’s absence will be especially felt in midfield as the Norwegian continues to struggle with a knee injury sustained in February.
There were hopes that he could return for this match, but he remained absent from Monday’s training session.
Julian Timber’s injury is a more recent setback. The Dutchman, one of the most talented defenders in this season’s competition, hobbled off in the first half of Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday.
Arteta suggested that while Timber’s problem may not be too serious, the recovery time may be too short for a European fixture.
Arsenal will likely rely on either Piero Hincapie, who is on loan from Leverkusen but is eligible, or Cristian Mosquera to fill the hole at the back.
Arsenal have a strong chance of winning the quadruple title
Despite the injury impact, the atmosphere around the Emirates Stadium remains electric as Arsenal continue their quest for an unprecedented quadruple.
The Gunners are currently nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table and have already booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
With the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City looming this Sunday, Arteta will be desperate to beat Leverkusen to keep his dream of winning the quadruple title alive.
The arrival of 16-year-old Max Dauman, who became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history at the weekend, gave the team even more momentum.
