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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out captain Martin Ødegaard for Sunday’s north London derby at Tottenham, despite concerns that the key midfielder might be sidelined for weeks.
Ødegaard suffered an ankle sprain on international duty with Norway earlier this week, which initially appeared to rule him out of challenging away fixtures against Atalanta in the Champions League and a Premier League visit to Manchester City on September 22.
Statements from the club’s website on Friday revealed this update.
However, Arteta, who signed a new three-year deal on Thursday, stated that further tests were needed to determine the extent of the injury.
“We need some more tests, so let’s see what happens in the next day or so,” the Spaniard said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“Let’s see what the extent of the injury is and how quickly we can get him back. He’s super positive about everything. We know Martin—he wants to be there every single day, but we have to wait and see.
“He’s willing, there’s no question about that. He wants to be present at every game, especially a big game like this one, but we need to make sure we first know how fit he can be.
“Players with 48 hours to go are always available, but let’s see what happens.”
Rice Suspended, Merino Out Injured
With Declan Rice suspended following his red card against Brighton & Hove Albion last time out, our midfield options have been further impacted by new arrival Mikel Merino picking up a shoulder injury during his first week at the club.
That will see him out of action for a while, but Arteta was pleased to report that the Spanish international is on the mend and using his time out to familiarise himself with our playing style, aiding a speedy transition into the first team upon his return.
Mikel Merino joins Arsenal
“It’s a slow process because it’s a bone injury and it takes a while to heal,” Arteta added. “He is progressing well and is already doing some exercises. He is working extremely hard, and we’re using this time to ensure he understands everything he has questions about. When he’s back, he’ll be ready to go and make an impact on the team.
“It’s very difficult to predict the healing of a bone. At the moment, he doesn’t have many symptoms, so recovery could be quicker because he hasn’t lost fitness, but we have to wait and see.”
Jesus Back, Calafiori to Be Assessed
Riccardo Calafiori also experienced an issue while representing his nation during the break, and Arteta admitted that he would need to assess his progress after another day or so. However, there was better news regarding Gabriel Jesus.
Declan Rice, Saka celebrate with Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazilian striker has returned to training after missing matches against Aston Villa and Brighton with a groin problem, and Arteta hopes that if all goes well between now and Sunday, the Brazilian could be back.
“Gabby was out there,” he revealed. “He’s got another session tomorrow, and if everything goes well, he will be ready to be selected for this squad, which is great news for us.”
Sterling Wants to Prove a Point
“He looks great,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference. “Firstly, because he’s got a big smile on his face, a lot of energy, and he’s eager to prove a point. When someone has that drive, you sense it straight away. Obviously, I don’t need to discover anything about his quality and what he brings to the team.
“What I see is hunger and a player who wants to play every minute of every game. When it’s not the case, he’s not happy. He loves football; it’s what he enjoys doing every single day, and I see that.
“His commitment, the level of energy he’s bringing to the team, and his quality are a significant boost. You can feel it with the players as well. When he walks through the door, we are better with him, and he’s going to make us better.”
