by Mikel Arteta said Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is in the running to return from injury for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
Odegaard has been out since October with a knee injury but is back in training ahead of Bayern’s visit to the Emirates Stadium.
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The Norwegian midfielder’s presence in the starting XI would give Arsenal a significant boost as they look to make it five consecutive Champions League wins this season.
“He was very close in the last game so we hope he can be in the squad tomorrow,” Arteta told reporters on Tuesday.
Arsenal and Bayern started this week top two in the Champions League table, with the Gunners hoping to boost their chances of reaching the last 16 with a victory over the German champions.
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Arteta’s side head into the highly anticipated game enjoying a 4-1 win over their north London rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.
“We have to make sure we carry that energy back into the stadium and to each individual tomorrow and play against a top team with the same dominance, aggression and efficiency,” Arteta said.
“This is the type of game in this competition we want to face and we have been very consistent.”
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Arsenal are in search of their first English title since 2004 and are six points ahead of second-placed Chelsea, who host the leaders on Sunday.
But ahead of that summit, Arteta knows that Bayern pose a major threat to his team’s 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
“Tomorrow is a great test for us to see where we stand,” he said.
“Each opponent brings different challenges. Obviously they are in a great phase.”
“The level of consistency that they show in their results, performance and all the metrics available is very, very impressive. We know that.”
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“But it’s also a huge opportunity for us to show what we’re capable of.”
– Kane ‘Challenge’ –
Arsenal are yet to concede a goal in the Champions League this season but full-back Jurrien Timber knows it is a tall order for him to stop Bayern striker Harry Kane.
The England captain has scored 15 goals in 21 games against the Gunners, including one for Bayern in the 2024 quarter-final first leg at the Emirates.
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Timber is relishing the challenge of tying down Kane on the former Tottenham star’s return to north London.
“I think he’s a great striker. Everyone knows that,” said the Dutchman.
“He has so many qualities. He’s been doing it for so long and now at FC Bayern Munich he’s one of the best players in the world.”
“So it will be a nice challenge for us as a team and as defenders to stop him tomorrow.”
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Kane started this season with a bang for Bayern. He has scored 24 goals in 18 games in all competitions as Bayern have won 17 and drawn one of their 18 games this season.
On Tuesday, Kane told reporters Arsenal had improved since leaving England. “They gained experience in the Champions League that made them better and helped them grow,” he said.
The 32-year-old striker moved from Spurs to Bayern in 2023 and hinted that he may extend his contract in Germany beyond 2027.
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The England captain said: “Moving to Bayern was one of the best decisions of my life. I’m definitely open to staying longer.”
“We are one of the best teams in Europe. I don’t look at any other team and say: ‘I want to go there’.”
“I feel really comfortable here and I don’t think anything will change in the future.”
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