Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard is expected to miss out on Tuesday night’s Champions League tie with Bayer Leverkusen via injury but fans have been clamouring for his return to action given the matches continue to come thick and fast.
The Gunners play host to Kasper Hjulmand’s side, who dominated the majority of the first tie in Germany, and both teams will be looking to reign victorious after drawing 1-1 first time round.
Robert Andrich scored from a header in the 46th minute before Kai Havertz converted his side’s last-gasp penalty. Odegaard has no part to play in that fixture and the same will ring true for the reserve match in London.
Read More: Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen: TV channel, kick-off time & how to watch
Signed in 2021 from Real Madrid after a successful loan period at the Emirates Stadium, Odegaard has blown hot and cold throughout his time at the club and his injury record is certainly a cause for concern.
Odegaard’s return date: Absent for Leverkusen, ready for Wembley
Injuries, particularly this term, have taken their toll on the Norwegian – and, as a result, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he is among the first-team figures who are at risk of being sold in the summer.
Odegaard hasn’t played since the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur last month and he’s set to miss the second leg of his side’s Round of 16 tie at Europe’s top table.
Arteta then added that Odegaard is pushing to return for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday.
“Yeah, so we’re really pushing, he really wants to try to be available, but we’ll have to wait and see in the next few days when he trains with the team how he feels. We know the game that we’re going to be playing in a few days again, and the more players that we have the better.”
Speaking about the captain’s return on Arsecast, The Athletic journalist James McNicholas confirmed: “So I think that game will have been a target for him over the last few weeks.
“The latest I heard was a conversation I had about a week ago, where I was told he should be fine for that,” he concluded.
In Odegaard’s place against Leverkusen will likely be summer addition Eberechi Eze – who arrived from Crystal Palace with one objective in mind: score bags of goals every time his side play Spurs.
Elsewhere, Bukayo Saka could operate from the No.10 berth with Noni Madueke on the right in his place or the record-breaking Max Dowman could play from the off.
Arsenal: The wider injury picture ahead of Carabao Cup final on Sunday
Odegaard is not the only player who is facing a race against time to be involved in Arsenal’s first final of the season – against Pep Guardiola’s City on the weekend.
Jurrien Timber wasn’t spotted in Arsenal training at London Colney on Monday morning and Arteta has confirmed fears that he will not be available against the German outfit.
Things have gone much better on the injury front in recent times – with Mikel Merino the only real long-term absentee from action.
| Player | Reason | Potential return |
| Mikel Merino | Ankle/foot | 01/06/26 |
| Martin Odegaard | Knee | 22/03/26 |
| Jurrien Timber | Ankle/foot | 22/03/26 |
The Spanish midfielder is set to miss the rest of the 2025/26 season after undergoing surgery on a right foot injury sustained at the turn of the year. It’s perfect timing given that Arsenal are in the midst of the run-in.
Leandro Trossard, on a more positive note, is available for selection after missing two matches. The Belgian picked up an injury against Mansfield Town in the FA Cup but he trained on Monday and could form one-third of the frontline.
