"He's out": Mikel Arteta now confirms £30m Arsenal star is unavailable vs Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal take on Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie tonight.
The Gunners have hit form with four straight wins in all competitions. They recently progressed to the last eight of the FA Cup, where they are scheduled to face Southampton.
Their immediate focus will be on Leverkusen. Ahead of the European encounter, manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the Gunners will be without one of their most influential attackers.
The Spanish tactician revealed that Martin Odegaard will play no part in the game.
Arteta simply said: “He’s out”.
Eberechi Eze has occupied the number 10 position in Odegaard’s recent absence due to a knee injury. He scored a wonderful brace during the 4-1 league rout of Tottenham Hotspur on the road.
The England international did not make a direct goal contribution in the wins over Chelsea or Brighton & Hove Albion, but bagged the winner in the FA Cup fifth round tie against Mansfield Town.
He is poised to be reinstated in the starting XI against Leverkusen. It remains to be seen whether he starts centrally behind the striker or slots into the left-wing position against the German giants.
Kai Havertz will also be yearning to face his former club. There is a possibility that the 26-year-old could feature as the attacking midfielder behind Viktor Gyokeres, with Eze on the left flank.
Meanwhile, Odegaard has endured a tough spell with multiple injuries. The £30 million signing has been in good form lately, with six goal contributions from his previous nine league appearances.
Arsenal need him fully fit for the season run-in. Arteta will hope Odegaard can return in time to at least make the bench for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City later this month.
Alongside the club captain, midfielder Mikel Merino won’t be involved against Leverkusen (foot surgery). Ben White has travelled with the Gunners and could return to the matchday squad tonight.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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