Arsenal handed major injury boost as key player returns to team training ahead of UEFA Champions League clash with Inter Milan: Reports
Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard is reportedly back to full training with the squad ahead of their UEFA Champions League game at Inter Milan on Wednesday (November 6).
Odegaard, 25, has been a key player for Mikel Arteta's side since arriving from Real Madrid - intially on loan - in January 2021. In 156 games across competitions for the Gunners, he has contributed 35 goals and 25 assists.
That includes just three games this season, as the Norwegian has been out of action since sustaining an ankle sprain. However, as per now.arsenal, Odegaard is back in full team training and expected to make the Gunners' squad for their Champions League matchday four clash at the San Siro.
In three games, the Gunners drew goalless at reigning UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta before beating Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 and Shakhtar Donetsk by a solitary goal, both at the Emirates.
Odegaard sustained his injury while on international duty in September, in Norway's 2-1 UEFA Nations League win over Austria. Just before the 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool on October 27, the Norwegian had written in his programme notes (as per yahoo!sports):
“I’ve been out for a few weeks now, and have been working hard to get back as soon as possible. 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.
"Hopefully, I can come out of this period fresher and stronger and ready for the rest of the season. That’s the aim now, look at the positives and use this time in a good way. When I’m back I’m going to be feeling pretty good, I’m sure."
The Gunners are coming off a 1-0 Premier League defeat at Newcastle United at the weekend as they seek a return to winning ways.
Inter Milan vs Arsenal: A few tidbits
Arsenal and Inter Milan have met only twice in the UEFA Champions League - with both meetings coming in the 2003-04 season - which, interestingly, marked the Gunners' latest Premier League triumph.
Coming back to their Champions League clashes that season, both games saw the away team win, with the Gunners winning 5-1 at the San Siro in November 2003 after Inter had won 3-0 at Highbury, Arsenal's then home ground, two months earlier.
The Gunners have a poor recent record in Italy, though, going scoreless in their last four Champions League games, losing three, since winning 2-0 at AC Milan in March 2008.