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Why Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori are missing from Arsenal squad against Bournemouth today
Apr 11 2026 12:10 · By onefootball.com · 12 Reads
Gunners handed double fitness blow ahead of crucial Premier League fixture
Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori are not involved for Arsenal against Bournemouth this afternoon because of injury.
Both players started Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg win over Sporting CP on Tuesday night, but are not in the matchday squad for today’s lunchtime kick-off at the Emirates Stadium.
It remains to be seen if either player will be available for selection against Sporting in the second leg next week or the potential Premier League title-decider away at Manchester City.
Discussing the absences of Odegaard and Calafiori, Mikel Arteta said: "[Martin Odegaard] is a very important player for us but he had a niggle during the midweek game and he wasn't available today.
“Ricci [Calafiori] was not available today, Piero [Hincapie] is just back from injury - he has done so well to be in contention to play, and Myles [Leiws-Skelly] is obviously a top player.”
In Calafiori’s place, Myles Lewis-Skelly comes in at left-back to make just his second start in the Premier League this season.
Rare chance: Myles Lewis-Skelly
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz is rewarded for his stoppage-time winner in Lisbon with a start in the No10 role behind the in-form Viktor Gyokeres as Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli start out wide.
There is further good news for Arsenal as Eberechi Eze is back in the matchday squad after missing the last three games - and international duty with England - because of a calf injury.
"I didn't know that he was so determined, so obsessed, and so willing to push his body," Arteta said.
"I didn't know that part of him, and it really surprised me in a really powerful way. How much he loves the game. When you take somebody's opportunity to play, you really see their reaction.
Boost: Eberechi Eze
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
"His was, wow. How involved he was in and around the team, the energy that he brings every day in the building.
"And then we use that time as well, obviously, to identify areas where he can impact the game, get his opinion wide and open about what he sees himself, what he's more comfortable, what he sees about the team.
"And I think we used that time in a really good way."