Arteta has shared good news about Odegaard’s recovery

Mikel Arteta has given Arsenal fans a reason to smile with some hopeful news about club captain Martin Odegaard.

October 18, 2024
11:00 am

The Norwegian midfielder has been sidelined for the last seven matches due to an ankle injury he picked up on international duty. His absence has been felt as Arsenal pushes on in the Premier League and Champions League.

Odegaard’s recovery is going well, and Arteta hinted that the 25-year-old could be back in action next week if all goes smoothly. While he’ll miss this weekend’s clash against Bournemouth, there’s a good chance he’ll be ready for the Champions League showdown with Shakhtar Donetsk or the big league match against Liverpool next Sunday.

“He is not going to be fit for this game,” Arteta said before the Bournemouth match. “Next week will be a different story. He needs to clear a few markers in the final stages of his rehab.”

This news will surely lift the spirits of Arsenal supporters eager to see their captain back on the pitch, pulling the strings in midfield. Odegaard has been crucial to Arsenal’s success, and his creativity has been missed.

Arteta also shared updates on other injured players. Bukayo Saka, who missed England’s win against Finland due to a minor issue, is expected to be fit for Bournemouth. “Bukayo’s injury is not serious,” Arteta confirmed. “We’re expecting him to be available.”

Kai Havertz is also set to return, while Gabriel Martinelli will be assessed after a knock on international duty. The Brazilian’s condition will be monitored closely, as Arteta wants to avoid any risks. On a positive note, Thomas Partey is back to full fitness, boosting Arsenal’s midfield options.

However, there are still questions about Ben White, Jurrien Timber, and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Arteta mentioned that they’re “quite close,” but further assessments are needed. Takehiro Tomiyasu, who was expected to play on the right side of defence, has hit a setback in his recovery.

“We are struggling a bit with the numbers on the right side,” Arteta said. “Hopefully, we have some positive news soon.”

Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth is a chance to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League, with Manchester City and current leaders Liverpool playing the day before. The Gunners have a solid record against Bournemouth, losing just once in 14 Premier League meetings, and they remain unbeaten this season.

Despite their strong start, Arsenal has struggled to keep clean sheets in their last three league games, raising some defensive concerns. However, Arteta isn’t too worried, attributing the goals conceded to minor lapses. “It’s about the way we’ve conceded certain goals,” he explained. “We’ve done little things wrong, and it’s about maintaining consistency, urgency, and focus in our reactions.”

As Arsenal heads to the south coast, they’ll be looking to tighten up defensively while keeping the pressure on at the top of the table. With Odegaard’s return on the horizon and key players like Saka and Partey available, Arteta’s squad is eager to maintain their unbeaten run and build momentum in both domestic and European competitions.