Mikel Arteta provides key injury updates ahead of Bayer Leverkusen first leg | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta revealed that there is “a possibility” that Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard will be available when Arsenal take on Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 on Wednesday.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference at the BayArena ahead of Wednesday’s first leg, the Spaniard began by providing injury updates, with a number of players’ availability uncertain during this hectic schedule for Arsenal.

Arteta confirmed that Martin Ødegaard would be out for the game, with the captain sidelined through a knee injury.

Ricardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard are doubts heading into the game, with Arteta stating: “Those two are a possibility that they are available and we’ll see tomorrow how we use them”.

He was also asked about the availability of defensive partners William Saliba and Gabriel, as well as the midfield duo Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi, in which he simply replied “yes” when asked if they were in contention.

With four competitions to think about, the 43-year-old spoke about how he manages the games and the difference in calibre between sides in contrasting competitions.

He said: “We play so many games in different competitions, in the next three games we’re going to play in three different competitions, completely different opponents.

“You have to adapt to that, you have to very early in the match understand what the game is going to require, adapt to it and be better than that.”

Arsenal faced a six year absence from the Champions League, but thanks to the impact of Arteta, they have now affirmed themselves as a regular face in Europe’s major club competition.

The Gunners boss spoke on the experience that the players have developed from recent campaigns, expressing hope that this will help them to go all the way.

He said: “They certainly have more experience in the competition. When I joined, there was a big part of the team that hadn’t played in this competition.

“That’s obviously something that is necessary like in any other competition and they understand it better. Now we have to perform.”

Arsenal face Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday evening at the BayArena, with kick-off at 17:45 GMT.