Ruled out: Martin Odegaard
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
The Arsenal captain has had his start to the season blighted by injury, and he is currently sidelined with an MCL problem.
The Norwegian has already been out with a shoulder issue that kept him out for four games, but this time around, he is likely to miss even more crucial matches.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Fulham, Arteta said that Odegaard could potentially return next month.
“It will be weeks,” the Spaniard said.
“No definite date for his return, but he is evolving well. I think he will be back in a few weeks. It could be [after the next international break], but we will have to see how he progresses. It’s too early to say.”
The Arsenal boss confirmed that Martin Zubimendi and Ben White would both be available for selection, despite both missing training on Thursday.
“All the players come from different countries, with different amounts of games and minutes played,” Arteta explained.
Read More
Arsenal get huge new injury boost for Fulham trip but duo not training
Arsenal injury update: Odegaard, Hincapie and Havertz latest return dates
Mead and Russo on target as Arsenal ease past Benfica
Frieze season in London: here’s what not to miss
“[Zubimendi’s] load has been really high recently. But he will be available.”
There are some welcome boosts for the north Londoners, however, with new signing Piero Hincapie back training after persistent niggles have stunted the start of his Arsenal career.
Noni Madueke, who has been missing since the 1-1 draw with Manchester City because of a knee injury, is “getting closer” to a return to action, according to Arteta.
“He is going to do some running soon,” the Spaniard said of the winger.
As for long-term absentee Kai Havertz, there was less good news when it came to the German.
“Very difficult,” Arteta said of the versatile forward.
“There is still a lot to do in his rehab. He wants to break every timeline, I am sure, but as well we have to protect him.”
Havertz has been missing since the beginning of the campaign with a knee injury.