Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given updates concerning injured duo Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus ahead of this weekend’s North-London derby Tottenham Hotspur.
Odegaard sustained a nasty ankle sprain in Norway’s Nations League win over Austria earlier this week, and he was seen on crutches as he boarded a flight back to the UK.
While the midfielder is not believed to have suffered any fracture, Norway’s team doctor has admitted that Odegaard could take around three weeks to recover from his sprain.
This would rule him out of the derby and upcoming matches with Atalanta in the Champions League and Manchester City.
Asked, in Friday’s presser whether Odegaard could be involved against Tottenham, the Spaniard replied: “We need some more tests so let’s see what happens in the next day or so, this afternoon probably, and see what happens with the extent of the injury and how quickly we can get him back.
“He is super positive about everything, we know Martin, he wants to be there every single day, but we have to wait and see. With 48 hours until the game, players could always become available, but let’s see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Arteta confirmed that Gabriel Jesus – who has missed Arsenal’s last two games with a groin injury – was back in training and is on course to be fit for Sunday’s game.
“Gabby was out [training]. He has got another session tomorrow. If everything goes well he will be ready to be selected in the squad, which is great news for us,” Arteta replied.
However, the Arsenal boss is unsure if the freak calf injury that Riccardo Calafiori sustained on Italy duty will settle down in time, adding: “It’s another one that we have to wait for another day or so.”
