Arsenal receive welcome injury boost ahead of Bayern Munich showdown
- Martin Odegaard taken off towards end of Arsenal's weekend defeat to Aston Villa
- The Norwegian has been front and centre of title charge and European aspirations
- Arsenal and Bayern Munich locked at 2-2 heading to Allianz Arena for second leg
Arsenal have been handed a significant boost after Martin Odegaard took part in training ahead of the club's crunch Champions League quarter-final second leg tie with Bayern Munich.
The Norwegian was taken off towards the end of Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday, with manager Mikel Arteta saying after the game that Odegaard "could not continue".
Odegaard's presence was sorely missed as Villa went on to claim all three points after his withdrawal - Unai Emery's side seizing the initiative through Leon Bailey before Ollie Watkins' deft chip over David Raya put the game out of sight.
But the Gunners' captain took part in training at Arsenal's London Colney base on Tuesday morning, ahead of their flight to Bavaria.
He'll have a crucial role to play as Arsenal look to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League, with things made a little harder by the 2-2 draw with Bayern at the Emirates Stadium last Tuesday.
Bukayo Saka's early goal handed Arsenal the lead but things quickly turned on their head in north London. Serge Gnabry came back to haunt his former club before arch-nemesis Harry Kane coolly netted from the penalty spot to put Bayern into the lead.
Leandro Trossard's free-flowing equaliser ensured Arsenal escaped the game with a share of the spoils, but they have it all to do against a Bayern side fired up by their inability to win the Bundesliga title for a 12th consecutive season.
Bayer Leverkusen, managed by Xabi Alonso, wrapped up the title this past weekend and could yet go the entire season unbeaten. They are still to be defeated in 29 Bundesliga matches, are through to the DFB-Pokal final and are in a strong position to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League after downing West Ham United 2-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
Their success has already cost Thomas Tuchel his job at Bayern - he's confirmed to be leaving the club this summer - but they have the opportunity to reach the final four of the Champions League for the 13th time since the competition was rebranded in 1992.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are hoping Odegaard can inspire them to not only a place in the final four but a first Champions League final appearance since 2006.
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