Mikel Arteta has issued an Arsenal injury update ahead of this weekend's Carabao Cup final against his former employers Manchester City at Wembley Stadium
14:09, 20 Mar 2026Updated 14:12, 20 Mar 2026
Mikel Arteta
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Mikel Arteta is looking to win his second trophy as Arsenal manager this weekend against Manchester City
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is refusing to rule Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber out of Sunday's Carabao Cup final.
The Gunners head to Wembley Stadium to lock horns with Premier League title rivals Manchester City as the Spaniard bids to win the second major trophy of his Emirates reign.
In positive news, Arteta confirmed the club have no fresh injury concerns following Tuesday's Champions League knockout triumph over Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
When pressed if captain Odegaard and Timber could return this weekend, he replied: "Yeah, we have another session, let's see."
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The Norwegian has been missing since he featured from the bench in the one-sided North London Derby demolition of Tottenham Hotspur last month.
Odegaard has been nursing a knee issue initially sustained in February's thrilling draw at Brentford when he tried to keep out the hosts' equaliser.
After missing matches against Wigan Athletic and Wolves, Odegaard then returned to the Arsenal squad against Spurs before suffering another setback.
The Gunners are reluctant to rush his return and Norway boss Stale Solbakken confirmed earlier this week that he would not be calling his captain up for international friendlies against the Netherlands and Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Timber, who missed the midweek victory over Leverkusen, is believed to be nursing an ankle injury which saw him substituted in the first half of the recent Premier League win versus Everton.
Yet the full-back has since been included in Ronald Koeman's Holland squad for World Cup preparation matches against Norway and Ecuador, respectively.
Timber was also spotted holding his groin prior to leaving the field against the Toffees, though his national team inclusion indicates there's a firm chance he will be ready to take on City.
Martin Odegaard
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Martin Odegaard remains a fitness doubt for Arsenal ahead of the Carabao Cup final(Image: Getty Images)
Arteta is facing a tough call between the sticks as Kepa Arrizabalaga is pushing to start ahead of first-choice goalkeeper David Raya.
Kepa has been Arsenal's Carabao Cup stopper this season and any call to drop the Spaniard for the final would feel slightly harsh given his contribution, though it cannot be ruled out.
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Pep Guardiola has already confirmed James Trafford will start ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal for Manchester City.
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