Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Bayernvs.Arsenal

sportsmole.co.uk, 15 April 2024, 09:53
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been handed an untimely concern over the fitness of Martin Odegaard for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

The Norway international was forced off in the dying embers of Sunday's 2-0 Premier League loss to Aston Villa with an unspecified issue, which may have been related to the kick to the ribs he took from Diego Carlos.

Gooners are anxiously awaiting updates on Odegaard's condition, but the visitors are sure to be without Jurrien Timber, still undergoing the final stages of his ACL rehabilitation.

There could still be scope for a change at full-back, though, as Oleksandr Zinchenko was found wanting against Villa, as was Jakub Kiwior in the first half of last week's 2-2 draw with Bayern.

As a result, the defensively-sound Takehiro Tomiyasu should come into Arteta's thinking for a start in the otherwise settled rearguard comprising David Raya, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White.

Arteta's decision to drop Kai Havertz into a deeper role on Sunday did not pay dividends, so the Gunners boss ought to consider recalling either Jorginho or Thomas Partey, allowing Declan Rice to occupy the left eight role.

As things stand, Odegaard will seemingly be fit to hold his place in the Arsenal engine room, while Havertz could revert to his effective striking role, potentially with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli alongside him despite Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard's heroics in the first leg.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:

Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

Top News

3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lille host Lyon on Monday at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, knowing that a single point would be enough to officially claim a spot in the Europa League next season at the very least. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out the suggestion that he has held talks over succeeding Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea boss. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly placed Newcastle United's Alexander Isak at the top of their list of forward targets for the summer transfer window. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The fight to avoid relegation intensifies as Gaziantep take on Hatayspor at Gaziantep Stadium on Sunday evening. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides vying for a top-four finish go head-to-head when Istanbul Basaksehir host Kasimpasa at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Feyenoord boss Arne Slot remains confident an agreement will be finalised for him to become Liverpool boss despite his admission that nothing is confirmed yet. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Famalicao and Benfica draw the curtains on round 32 of the Primeira Liga when they go head to head at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on Sunday. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk It will be a crucial match towards the top of the Eredivisie table this Sunday as AZ Alkmaar faces FC Twente, with both continuing to push for a third-place finish. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women will attempt to get their title bid back on track when they face Bristol City Women in Sunday's Women's Super League contest. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Luton Town missed the chance to move out of the Premier League relegation zone on Friday evening, as they drew 1-1 with Everton at Kenilworth Road. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal could match a club winning record in the Premier League when they welcome Bournemouth to the Emirates for Saturday's lunchtime kickoff. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has selected a strong squad for Saturday's La Liga clash with relegation-threatened Cadiz at Bernabeu. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After suffering a rare home defeat in midweek, Roma will try to retain their grip on a top-five place in Serie A when welcoming Juventus to Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be looking to break a century-old club record when they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium for a Premier League clash on Saturday evening. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly entered the race for a soon-to-be free agent linked with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has provided a positive update on Antoine Semenyo's fitness ahead of Saturday's away meeting with Arsenal. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Kevin De Bruyne will be looking to break Cesc Fabregas's Premier League assist record when Manchester City welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to keep their hopes of securing the Scottish crown alive, Rangers will welcome Europe-chasing Kilmarnock to Ibrox Stadium for a Scottish Premiership clash on Sunday afternoon. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk European hopefuls Valencia will be bidding to bounce back from successive La Liga defeats when they continue their campaign at home to Alaves on Sunday evening. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly formulated a plan to pip Arsenal to the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Willian Pacho this summer. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has shot down suggestions that the Gunners could be receptive to offers for one of their experienced attackers this summer. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celta Vigo's battle to stay out of the La Liga relegation zone will continue on Sunday afternoon when they welcome European hopefuls Villarreal to the Estadio Municipal de Balaidos. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be looking to keep their Premier League title hopes alive when they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Third will welcome second in La Liga on Saturday evening, as the reigning champions Barcelona head to the division's surprise package Girona. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Betis will be bidding to strengthen their grip on a European position in the La Liga table when they head to Estadio El Sadar on Sunday afternoon to tackle Osasuna. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Still gunning for a return to Europe, Fiorentina aim to continue their recent revival at the expense of relegation-threatened Hellas Verona on Sunday. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sevilla play host to relegation-threatened Granada in Sunday's La Liga gameweek 34 clash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to take a massive step towards top-flight safety, Union Berlin and VfL Bochum will lock horns at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei on Sunday afternoon in the Bundesliga. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Sunday, West Ham United Women will welcome Leicester Women to the Chigwell Construction Stadium for their final home game of the Women's Super League season. 3 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk ARSENAL Gameweek 36 opponents: Bournemouth (H) Out: None Doubtful: Jurrien Timber (knee) Mikel Arteta quotes: "Yes.