Odegaard Starts on Bench as Arsenal Stick with Same XI for Champions League Semi Secondleg

Odegaard omitted from Arsenal starting XI amid knee concern

Martin Odegaard, Arsenal captain, is not in the starting lineup for the UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on May 5, 2026. Although he is included in the matchday squad and available on the bench, World Soccer Talk reports that Odegaard has been managed because of recent knee discomfort that also kept him out of Arsenal’s Premier League win over Fulham earlier in the weekend. The decision to withhold him from the start follows his return to training but reflects caution ahead of a match that will decide a place in the Champions League final.

Why Arteta has chosen continuity

Mikel Arteta has opted to keep faith with the same starting XI that featured in the 3-0 win over Fulham, prioritising match rhythm and chemistry for a tightly poised knockout tie. World Soccer Talk says Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White all retain their places, while Kai Havertz is also available for selection after a muscle knock. That continuity is intended to preserve Arsenal’s structure and control in a high-stakes match where fine margins could decide progression.

The tie arrives level after a 1-1 draw in Madrid last week, with both sides converting penalties in a tightly fought first leg. Arsenal know a win at the Emirates will guarantee progression to the final; with no away-goals rule in effect, the match can be decided in normal time, extra time or by penalties if required.

Match context and Atletico threat

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid travel to London believing they can upset the hosts and reach their first Champions League final in a decade. The first leg in Madrid finished 1-1 after Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring for Arsenal and Julian Alvarez equalised following a VAR-reviewed handball incident earlier in that game. World Soccer Talk highlights that Atletico are dangerous in tight, physical knockout fixtures, which partly explains Arteta’s emphasis on maintaining balance and defensive solidity in his selection.

• Martin Odegaard is in Arsenal’s matchday squad but not in the starting XI due to recent knee discomfort (reported).
• Odegaard missed the 3-0 win over Fulham but returned to training and is available on the bench (reported).
• Kai Havertz is available after a muscle knock but also did not start (reported).
• Arteta kept the same starting XI that played against Fulham, including Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres (reported).
• First leg in Madrid ended 1-1; winner at the Emirates advances to the Champions League final (no away-goals rule).

What it means

Odegaard starting on the bench signals a precautionary approach from Arsenal ahead of a decisive Champions League fixture. The captain’s presence among the substitutes gives Arteta an option to introduce his creative fulcrum later in the match if the problem does not worsen. For Atletico, Arsenal’s chosen XI suggests the hosts will prioritise structure and continuity — a setup that could make the game tight and tactical. Confirmed team sheets, substitution choices and any official medical updates should be checked for the final published version of this story.