Mikel Arteta has endured his fair share of injury troubles at Arsenal, only three games into the 2025/26 campaign.
William Saliba was forced off through injury early in the 1-0 loss against Liverpool before the international break.
The 24-year-old is expected to miss another three to four weeks when club football resumes and is the fourth regular starter Arteta has lost this season.
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Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard picked up injuries in the 6-0 win against Leeds United, and while the latter emerged from the bench to play the final 20 minutes at Anfield, growing concerns at the Emirates were raised that international football would pose more problems for the Gunners.
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal consoles Martin Odegaard of Arsenal as he is substituted off during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
But as the international fixtures come to a close, Arteta has received a timely boost ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Martin Odegaard is ready to start for Norway
When speaking ahead of Norway’s match against Moldova on Tuesday, Odegaard revealed that he is ready to start his nation’s World Cup qualifier.
“It hurt a lot, but now I’ve got it under control and I feel ready,” Odegaard said, as relayed by The London Standard. “It was never an issue (between Norway and Arsenal).
“I talk a lot with Stale Solbakken. The club obviously wanted me for Liverpool, and my only job was to get ready.”
Indeed, Kai Havertz’s long-term injury blow would be the start of the woes at the Emirates, and although Odegaard has shared a positive update regarding his fitness, Arteta will undoubtedly be concerned.
Martin Odegaard during Arsenal vs Manchester United.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Summer arrival Christian Norgaard dubbed Odegaard “fantastic” following his arrival in North London, and although the Gunners captain suffered a slight decline in his usual output last season, he has been integral to Arteta’s success.
Therefore, the Arsenal boss will surely be eager for Odegaard to miss out on Norway’s match on Tuesday to ensure that his talisman returns to the Emirates without further complications.
His replacement at Anfield, Mikel Merino, produced a “historic” display for Spain on Sunday, meaning there is no urgency for Odegaard to rush back into action.
The Gunners suffered an early blow in their Premier League title hopes after losing at Anfield – it is imperative Arteta’s men immediately hit the ground running when they host Forest.
Eberechi Eze could make his full debut for Arsenal
Arsenal hijacked Tottenham’s move for Eberechi Eze following the news of Havertz’s injury at the Emirates.
The 27-year-old replaced Gabriel Martinelli for the final 20 minutes at Anfield to make his senior debut for the club he left aged 13, and he should be in line to start against Nottingham Forest.
For the first time in his Arsenal tenure, Arteta has sufficient squad depth across all the attacking positions. With Odegaard likely to start for Norway, perhaps prematurely, the Spaniard has the players to deal with any outcome.
Should Odegaard return to North London unscathed, it may still be too soon to rush the midfielder into the starting line-up, and Arteta should put his faith in his new £68 million man.