Arteta Rules Out Odegaard but Saliba Boosts Arsenal vs Leverkusen 2026

Key Points

• Arsenal face Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the BayArena on Wednesday evening, March 11, 2026.
• Mikel Arteta confirmed that captain Martin Odegaard is ruled out of the match due to a lingering knee injury sustained during a 1-1 draw with Brentford on February 12, 2026; he briefly returned for the North London Derby win over Tottenham but has not played since.
• William Saliba is fit and available after missing the last two matches (against Brighton and Mansfield) due to an ankle injury from the 2-1 win over Chelsea; he trained on Tuesday and bolsters the defence.
• Triple injury boost confirmed: Saliba, Leandro Trossard, and Riccardo Calafiori all spotted in training on Tuesday at London Colney ahead of travel to Germany.​
• Ben White remains sidelined with an unspecified knock since the FA Cup fourth-round win over Wigan and did not train on Tuesday.
• Mikel Merino is long-term absentee after surgery on a rare foot injury involving bone healing; Arteta noted it could take three to five months.
• David Raya, Declan Rice, Gabriel, and Martin Zubimendi were rested against Mansfield due to minor issues but trained on Tuesday and are expected back in the lineup; Arteta explained the rotation was to address concerns before the international break.
• Other players like Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Piero Hincapie (eligible despite Leverkusen loan), Eberechi Eze, Kai Havertz, Christian Norgaard, and Myles Lewis-Skelly (back from suspension) trained fully.​
• Bayer Leverkusen may miss star striker Patrik Schick, who sat out their midweek win over Hamburger SV with 19-year-old Christian Kofane scoring in his place; Schick has 13 goals this season.​
• Arsenal’s packed schedule includes Everton at home, second leg vs Leverkusen, and Carabao Cup final vs Manchester at Wembley before international break.​
• Arteta’s press conference updates: On Odegaard, “He’s out”; on rested players, “They have been dealing with various issues… we had to make those choices.”

Arsenal FC, (North London News ) March 11, 2026 – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has ruled captain Martin Odegaard out of Wednesday night’s Champions League last-16 first-leg clash against Bayer Leverkusen but received a significant boost with William Saliba’s return to fitness, as the Gunners aim to advance in Europe amid injury challenges.

Who Is Ruled Out for Arsenal Against Bayer Leverkusen?

Martin Odegaard’s absence is the most notable blow for Arsenal. As reported by journalists at the Mirror, Odegaard has been sidelined for the last three matches following a knee issue from the February 12 draw with Brentford; he made a cameo in the North London Derby victory over Tottenham but has not featured since, missing training on Tuesday.

Arteta stated simply, “He’s out,” when pressed on the captain’s condition during his pre-match press conference.

Ben White joins Odegaard on the sidelines with an unspecified knock that has kept him out since the FA Cup win over Wigan. According to the Evening Standard’s coverage, White did not partake in Tuesday’s open training session at London Colney. Mikel Merino remains a long-term concern after undergoing surgery last month on a foot injury requiring bone healing. As per Football.London’s Sean O’Brien, Arteta explained,

“It’s a lengthy process since it involves bone healing. Patience is essential… It could take several months—three, four, or even five.”

Norway national team coach Stale Solbakken recently suggested Odegaard may not return until late March at the earliest, adding uncertainty to his timeline.​

Which Players Provide Arsenal’s Major Injury Boost?

William Saliba’s availability is a huge positive for Arsenal’s defence. Flashscore reported via Reuters that the centre-back, who missed games against Brighton and Mansfield due to an ankle twist in the Chelsea win, is now fit and returns to a defence otherwise at full strength.

The Mirror confirmed Saliba trained fully on Tuesday, with Cristhian Mosquera likely dropping to the bench.

A triple boost emerged from Tuesday’s session, as detailed by the Evening Standard: Saliba trained alongside Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori, both of whom suffered “little niggles” during the FA Cup win at Mansfield—Trossard in the first half, Calafiori late on—but are now available.

Arteta had described these as minor issues post-match.​

David Raya, Declan Rice, Gabriel, and Martin Zubimendi were rested at Mansfield to manage “various issues” amid a demanding schedule. Arteta, quoted in Football.London, said,

“They have been dealing with various issues, and given the demanding schedule of matches, it’s quite challenging. This was the right moment to ensure we address their concerns.”

All four trained on Tuesday, alongside Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Piero Hincapie (Leverkusen loanee, eligible to play), Eberechi Eze, Kai Havertz, and Christian Norgaard. Myles Lewis-Skelly returns from FA Cup suspension, while 16-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon impressed in training.

Arteta confirmed Kai Havertz’s consistency over three weeks, noting he

“could play a significant role against his former team.”​

What Did Mikel Arteta Say in His Press Conference?

Arteta’s updates painted a mixed but optimistic picture. On Odegaard and White’s absence from training, he was direct: “He’s out” for the captain, with Ben unavailable as previously stated before the Brighton game. Regarding rested stars, Arteta elaborated to Football.London,

“Well, they had issues and they’ve been carrying issues. And the amount of games that we are playing, it’s obviously super demanding. And it was the only time to try to make sure that we can clean those issues… We had to make those decisions.”

On Saliba, Arteta confirmed full readiness post-ankle recovery. For Merino, he added patience is key in bone healing. Ahead of the 5:45 PM GMT kick-off at BayArena, Arteta emphasised the fixture’s importance:

“Champions League is about the day, and within that day there are moments,”

as shared on Arsenal Fanatics News’ social update.

How Might Bayer Leverkusen Line Up and What Are Their Injury Concerns?

Bayer Leverkusen could be without star striker Patrik Schick for the tie.

As reported by Football.London, the Czech forward, with 13 goals and three assists this season (ahead of Alex Grimaldo’s 11), missed the midweek win over Hamburger SV, replaced by 19-year-old Christian Kofane who scored the winner. Leverkusen progressed past Olympiacos in playoffs, with Schick netting both in Athens.​

Arsenal drew Leverkusen in the last-16 after both advanced; a win could pit the Gunners against Bodø/Glimt or Sporting CP in quarters, per draw analysis.​

What Is Arsenal’s Schedule Around This Tie?

Arsenal’s March is packed: after Leverkusen away, they host Everton, then the second leg at Emirates next Tuesday, followed by the Carabao Cup final against Manchester at Wembley.

Arteta’s rotations, including against Mansfield, aimed to freshen the squad pre-international break. Rotation was heavy in the FA Cup fifth-round win, with key players returning now.

Why Does This Boost Matter for Arsenal’s Champions League Hopes?

Saliba’s return strengthens a defence hit by absences, vital against Leverkusen’s attack. With Odegaard out, Havertz may shift midfield, leveraging familiarity with Leverkusen. Arsenal, fresh from rotation, eye their first Champions League final in two decades via this path. Arteta’s management of niggles positions the Gunners strongly for the double-legged tie and beyond.