Arsenal: Mikel Arteta issues Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz injury update ahead of Atletico visit | OneFootball

Attacking pair are in contention for Champions League semi-final second leg

Mikel Arteta hopes to be boosted by the return of two key stars for Arsenal's Champions League showdown with Atletico Madrid.

The first leg was dominated by penalties, two which were given and one which was not, as the two teams played out a 1-1 draw.

Viktor Gyokeres was fouled by David Hancko for the first spot-kick, before Ben White was adjudged to have handled the ball for the second, which Julian Alvarez converted.

Martin Odegaard was at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday

Getty

Hancko was again the guilty party when the referee pointed to the penalty spot for a foul on Eberechi Eze, only for VAR to suggest a review and the decision be overturned.

It leaves the tie in the balance, but Arteta hopes that both Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard will be able to return at the Emirates.

A knee injury ruled Odegaard out of the 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, while a "muscular niggle" has seen Havertz not play since the 1-0 win over Newcastle last month.

But, asked by BeIN Sports for an update on the pair's availability for the visit of Atletico, Arteta issued a positive response.

"I think so, the both of them [will be available]," Arteta told beIN Sports.

"They are going to do everything, we are going to do everything to have them ready."

Arsenal and Atletico face off at Tuesday for a place in the Champions League final, where the winner will meet either Bayern Munich of Paris Saint-Germain.