Mikel Arteta delivers bad news on injured Arsenal star after draw to Liverpool
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta provided an injury update on Martin Odegaard after their draw against Liverpool on Sunday, October 27. The two sides played out a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.
Odegaard has been out injured since September after he suffered an ankle injury with Norway during the international break. He has been out of action since and also missed the Liverpool clash. After the match, Mikel Arteta confirmed on Sky Sports that the club captain is 'far away' from returning to action, as per TBR Football.
Odegaard had made three appearances for Arsenal this season before injury. He is crucial to the side as he's not only the captain but also the main creative outlet in the team. Moreover, the Gunners sold Emile Smith Rowe and loaned out Fabio Vieira in the summer and have no natural replacement for Odegaard.
Meanwhile, the north London side are third in the Premier League table after the draw against Liverpool. They sit five points behind leaders Manchester City and four behind the Reds.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard provides injury update ahead of Liverpool clash
Ahead of the match against Liverpool, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard shared his thoughts on his injury in his programme notes. He wrote (via Football.London):
"As I said in my notes on Tuesday, I feel like it's close now, but although I haven't been involved in the games lately, I feel I've still been able to use that time pretty well too. To be honest my days haven't been much different to before. I am still at the training ground every day, and they are long days as well.
"I'm usually pretty tired afterwards because I've been doing a lot of work with the great medical and fitness team we have, and I’ve spent a lot of time in the gym as well.
"I've wanted to stay involved with what's happening too, so I've been going to the preparation meetings and have been closely involved. But obviously matchdays have been different, there’s been less traveling so I've been able to spend more time at home, getting important rest periods, which has been good."
Odegaard has been a key player for Arsenal since arriving from Real Madrid on loan in January 2021 before the move was made permanent that summer. He's made 156 appearances and contributed 35 goals and 25 assists for the club.