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Arsenal will host Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium today as the first finalist of the UEFA Champions League is set to be decided, with the semi-final tie level after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
The UEFA Champions League is Europe’s top club football competition, bringing together the continent’s leading teams each season. With the second leg now set for London, both sides know that the winner will move on to the final.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are fit and available for selection, giving his team more options for the decisive match.
“Both are in good condition and in the squad. That’s great news for us,” Arteta said, noting that their return would allow Arsenal to be more flexible tactically.
Arteta said he could feel the energy in both the squad and the supporters, describing the match as the kind of moment the club wants to experience together. He added that Arsenal had worked hard to reach this stage and were determined to get the result they needed.
Forward Viktor Gyokeres said Arsenal’s strong season had carried them into the semi-final, but stressed that the coming matches would decide whether they could finish the job.
Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone said his team must keep their emotions under control and stay patient in a match where the balance could shift quickly.
“We have to control our emotions and play as well as possible,” Simeone said. “The balance can change as soon as the match starts. We need to stay calm; that’s exactly what is required in games like this.”
Simeone also dismissed suggestions that superstition was behind Atletico’s decision to change hotels in London after their earlier 4-0 defeat to Arsenal in October.
“This hotel was cheaper. That’s why we changed,” he said.
Simeone pointed to Julian Alvarez, recently back from injury, as an important option for Atletico, noting that the Argentine forward’s familiarity with English football could help the Spanish side.
Antoine Griezmann said Atletico are looking forward to the match and must produce a strong performance in both attack and defense, building on their first-leg display as they chase a place in the final.
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