The Gunners can’t afford another midfield injury setback
Martin Odegaard has allayed fears he suffered a significant injury during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Brighton last weekend.
The Gunners’ captain took a blow to the shin during the first half and looked uncomfortable thereafter before he was eventually substitutedmidway through the second period.
Odegaard appeared to have shaken off the knock but was regarded as a doubt for Norway’s Nations League game against Kazakhstan this evening but the former Real Madrid star insists he is ready to play.
‘I feel good,’ he said. ‘I had a few hits in the game [vs. Brighton], but I feel better now & I trained yesterday without a problem, so I feel good.
I’m ready for the game & excited to play for Norway again.’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be watching on nervously given he is already without Declan Rice and new signing Mikel Merino for the north London derby against Tottenham next weekend.
Merino damaged his shoulder during his first training session with his new club and is facing the likelihood of being out until the end of October.
Asked about Merino’s injury ahead of the Gunners’ draw with the Segulls last Saturday, Arteta said: ‘It’s very unfortunate. Yesterday (Thursday) he had a collision and he’s got a shoulder injury and it looks like he’ll be out for a few weeks.
‘It was in his first session with us. It’s really bad luck, we were all excited, everything was looking good.
‘He landed on the floor, Gabriel fell on top of him and it looks like he has a small fracture.
He was in so much pain, we have to see. He’ll do more tests which will have more conclusive answers.’
