At a Glance:
- Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard weren’t spotted in Arsenal training on Monday.
- Pep Guardiola has commented on his own players tuning in for Gunners matches.
- Jamie Carragher has predicted the outcome of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal are set to face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie, with Mikel Arteta’s team looking to book their place in the final in Budapest at the end of the month.
The Gunners moved six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League on Saturday evening, courtesy of a 3-0 win over Fulham. Arteta’s outfit looked fluid and expressive in attacking areas, and they will now be confident that they can win their remaining three league games, which would put them in an exceptional position to win the title.
However, attention now turns back to continental action for Arsenal. They host Atletico at the Emirates in midweek, with a Champions League final spot up for grabs. If Arteta and his players do manage to reach this stage of Europe’s elite club competition, it’ll be the first time they’ve managed it since 2006.
With that said, here is the latest Arsenal news today, including updates on Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Pep Guardiola and Jamie Carragher.
Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard not spotted in Arsenal training
Arsenal will need everything they’ve got to get past Atletico and progress into the final, although it looks as though they may be without two key players. Mikel Arteta gave both Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard a chance of featuring in the second leg in interviews over the weekend, but neither were spotted in training on Monday morning.
🚨 Kai Havertz & Martin Ødegaard are NOT in full first-team Arsenal training today, despite Mikel Arteta previously thinking both of them could be available to face Atletico Madrid tomorrow. ❌
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) May 4, 2026
Jurrien Timber & Mikel Merino are also not in attendance. 🤕 pic.twitter.com/Vh4XF2TeZj
Both players are recovering from their latest injury setbacks, with Havertz not playing since the defeat to Bournemouth and Odegaard limping off in the second half of the first leg in Madrid.
While it’s plausible neither was involved to protect them ahead of the game, their absences certainly raise alarm bells. Arteta’s press conference on Monday evening should provide more clarity.
Pep Guardiola on Man City players watching Arsenal games
Arsenal and City are locked in an intense title race. The two sides are running neck and neck, and it could ultimately come down to the final day.
Pep Guardiola was quizzed on the psychology of this race at his most recent press conference, ahead of the Citizens’ game against Everton on Monday. He was asked whether he minds his players tuning in for Arsenal matches.
“No, absolutely not,” he replied.
“It’s part of the job. If they want to watch Arsenal, if they enjoy watching them, why not? So, not a problem.
“I will not tell them, ‘Watch Arsenal or watch United or Liverpool.’ So, they are adults, you know. They are fathers in their families, and they have responsibilities, and they know exactly what they have to do.”
Jamie Carragher makes Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid prediction
Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw in a hostile Wanda Metropolitano in the first leg last week. The Gunners controlled the first half using conservative possession, but were outmatched in the second period when Atletico started pressing them high up the pitch.
The second leg could unfold very differently, with Atletico likely to take a much more pragmatic approach. Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast, Jamie Carragher revealed what he expects to happen at the Emirates.
“Yeah, I think they’ll get through,” the pundit said.
“I think they’re a better team than Atletico Madrid. I don’t think Madrid are that good if I’m being totally honest.
“I think even in the first leg, there’s a 20-minute spell in the second half, where either side of that, it looked like Arsenal for me were in big control.”
