Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provides worrying Martin Odegaard fitness update ahead of UCL opener
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of captain Martin Odegaard as his side prepare for their UEFA Champions League opener. The Gunners will face reigning Europa League champions Atalanta in Bergamo on Thursday to begin their campaign in Europe.
Norway international Odegaard suffered an ankle injury while representing his country during the international break against Austria. The midfielder missed his side's win over Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby as the extent of his injury was yet to be ascertained.
Mikel Arteta spoke to the press ahead of the game against the Serie A outfit and revealed that the former Real Madrid man will spend some time on the sidelines. The Spanish manager said that the 25-year-old has suffered some damage to his ankle ligaments and will not be available for the Atalanta game.
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“We will lose Martin Ødegaard for a while. The scans showed he has some damage especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle”.
Arsenal were without Martin Odegaard for the north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Arteta deployed Belgian forward Leandro Trossard in an advanced midfield role in the game, while 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri made a late appearance.
With Mikel Merino still out injured, Trossard may be required to continue in Odegaard's absence to provide an attacking dimension from midfield. The manager may also opt to have Kai Havertz feature in the position, particularly as Gabriel Jesus has returned to full fitness and featured against Tottenham.
Arsenal receive double injury boost ahead of Atalanta tie
Arsenal have received two major injury boosts as they prepare to take on Atalanta in their UEFA Champions League opener on Thursday. The duo of Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori have been passed fit and trained with the rest of the team ahead of the game.
Forward Saka limped off in the closing stages of the north London derby win at the weekend, with England U-19 international Ethan Nwaneri replacing him. Calafiori, on the other hand, had picked up an injury while on duty with the Italian national team and missed the win over Tottenham.
With the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard all out injured, the return to fitness of Calafiori and Saka will be a huge boost. The Gunners are yet to lose a game this season and will be keen to continue that trend against Atalanta.