Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, has released an update on the fitness of Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard ahead of Uefa Champions League 2025/26 round of 16 second leg match against Bayer Leverkusen at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday 17 March, 2026.
Timber was replaced in the first 45 minutes of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton on Saturday 14 March, 2026 in North London, a game the Gunners won 2-0; also, Odegaard and Trossard were missing in action in the showdown against the Toffees, as well as, the first leg UCL match against Leverkusen at BayArena in Germany.
When asked about the Belgian forward, Arteta gave a positive update, saying, Trossard is “available”.
According to arsenal.com, the Spanish manager, however, said, his Captain, Odegaard, and Timber will not be available when the English side locks horn with the Black and Reds in England.
With the EFL Cup 2025/26 final around the corner, the former Arsenal player was asked whether the Norwegian midfielder will lead the Gunners against Manchester City.
Arsenal and Manchester City will fight for the EFL Cup title when they face in the final on Sunday 22 March, 2026 at Wembley Stadium at 17:30 (WAT).
On Odegaard…
Arteta answered: “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.”
On Timber…
When asked about the availability of the Dutch defender, Arteta answered: “We don’t know, I think with him it will be a matter of days, but not sure.”
Cristhian Mosquera replaced Timber during the top flight encounter against Everton.
In the UCL knockout round first leg, Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen finished 1-1 with the Gunners levelling in the 89th minute through Kai Havertz after the hosts had taken the lead in the 46th minute through Robert Andrich.
