Martin Zubimendi will return to the Arsenal starting lineup when they host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates for the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday.

Arsenal will be eager to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League final when they welcome Atletico Madrid to the Emirates for the semi-final second leg on Tuesday night. Mikel Arteta has received positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are fit and available to take on Atletico Madrid this week after recovering from minor issues. So, Jurrien Timber is the only short-term absentee as he continues to recover from a groin injury.

Mikel Merino (foot) is the only other player in the treatment room, and he may not feature again this season. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arteta provided fitness updates on Odegaard and Havertz. The Spanish tactician also discussed Bukayo Saka’s return to fitness.

The Arsenal manager said, “Yes, they are available, they are in the squad, both of them. We need options, we need the capacity to play different games tomorrow, whether it’s from the start or after. So it’s really, really good news for us to have them both back.”

“That’s what we need when we arrive at this stage of the competition. The players not only (have) to be available, but to be in top condition and make the difference. Bukayo will certainly give us that. (They are) very different. We rarely had both of them available at the same time for long periods so we’re more restricted in terms of the opponent and the connection that we’re going to generate throughout the game or with the teammates to choose from there.”

David Raya is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Arsenal lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. The backline will feature Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Piero Hincapie.

As for the midfield unit, Martin Zubimendi will line up alongside Declan Rice in the double pivot, with Eberechi Eze reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line for the home side against Atletico Madrid, with Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka being the two wide attackers. So, Odegaard and Havertz will be among the backup options on the bench for the Gunners.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres