Martin Odegaard suffered a knee injury for Arsenal prior to the international break, ruling him out of Norway's fixtures, and the Gunners captain faces an extended period on the sidelines
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 15, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has provided an update
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Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has revealed that will be out for 'weeks' following the star's latest injury setback. Odegaard, 26, during the first half of against before the international break, forcing him to miss Norway's fixtures.
Now Arteta has provided an update ahead of Arsenal's clash with on Saturday. "It will be weeks, no definite date for his return but he is evolving well," the Gunners boss explained.
"Very unlucky, but he will be back in a few weeks... I think he's in a really good place. He does everything he possibly can to prevent injuries. The ones he had are very difficult to prevent so that takes some weight off. When you don't have an option, you adapt."
That adaptation could see Eberechi Eze move into the No.10 position as he did when Odegaard was injured in September. Arsenal take on Fulham in the 5:30pm kick-off, looking to extend their lead at the top of the table after leapfrogging reigning champions a fortnight ago.
Arteta also issued updates on injured duo Noni Madueke and . "(Madueke is) getting closer as well, he will start to do some running very soon," he said.
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As for Havertz, whose only appearance came on the opening day of the season, Arteta admitted: "Again very difficult, a lot to do in his rehab and he's really pushing it, we are doing good work with him again. He wants to break every timeline."
Left-sided defender Piero Hincapie has played just five minutes since he joined on loan from in the , suffering an injury in training. But Arteta has some good news.
"He trained today (Friday) again with us and if everything is right, he will be available," the Arsenal manager stated.
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The Gunners' squad depth will be crucial in helping offset the impact of injuries to stars like Odegaard, as Arteta explained: "We had to increase our availability in the squad, the impact anyone could have in the game. To thread the positions, to be super consistent and we've gone to a different level, and in the next block, it is about sustaining that."
Arsenal have failed to win on their last couple of visits to Craven Cottage. Last season, the Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw by their London opponents while the year before, Fulham were 2-1 victors.
"We know it's a really tough place to go against a very well-coached team," Arteta acknowledged.
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