Arsenal fans are conveying their concerns on X after Mikel Arteta included Martin Odegaard in the starting XI to face Sporting CP. The two sides are set to lock horns in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the Estadio Jose Alvalade later tonight (Tuesday, April 7).
David Raya starts in goal for the Gunners, while Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori make up the defense. The midfield comprises Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Noni Madueke, Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokere will start up front to complete the starting XI.
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Odegaard has struggled for rhythm this season due to multiple injuries, including knocks to his knee and shoulder. As a result, the Norway international has missed 22 fixtures and has been limited to only 28 appearances across all competitions, in which he has recorded one goal and seven assists.
The Arsenal skipper made his return to the starting XI against Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final over the weekend. However, he struggled to make an impact, as the Gunners crashed out of the competition following a shock 2-1 defeat.
One fan reacted to Odegaard’s inclusion by posting:
“Odegaard starts im going to sleep”
Another fan tweeted:
“Martin Odegaard starts! Yeah guys, we are actually cooked, aren’t we ??”
Other fans reacted below:
“So I’d probably edge towards them” – Gareth Barry predicts the one club that will defeat Arsenal in the UCL final this season
Former Manchester City star Gareth Barry reckons Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will defeat Arsenal in the final to win the Champions League this season. Barry praised the Ligue 1 giants for having players who rise to the occasion in big games, backing them to retain the UCL.
Mikel Arteta and Co. have impressed in the Champions League this season, finishing first in the group stage, with 24 points from eight games. They also defeated Bayern Leverkusen in the Round of 16, and will face the winner of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the semi-final, if they overcome Sporting CP in the final eight.
Barry told BoyleSports (via METRO):
“In the last round, PSG did look really good, back to the form of last year. They’ve grown into it and look back to their best. I think Arsenal and PSG are the two that I fancy possibly going all the way. Winning the title would massively take the pressure off Arsenal and they’d probably go into that game feeling a lot better about themselves and have a much better chance of winning it.”
He added:
“Arsenal vs PSG would be a tough final, but I think PSG, they’ve got players that are made for those big, big games, so I’d probably edge towards them.”
On the other hand, PSG are set to face Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals, and will face the winner of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich if they progress to the semis.
Edited by Silas Sud
