Norway have called up Martin Odegaard for their upcoming Interlull fixtures – a decision that suggests the Arsenal captain could be available for Sunday’s clash with reigning champions Liverpool.
Odegaard was forced off in the first half of Saturday’s 5-0 win over Leeds after landing awkwardly on his shoulder. He initially tried to play on but was eventually replaced by Ethan Nwaneri. His inclusion in the Norway squad, who face Finland in a friendly before a World Cup qualifier against Moldova, supports reports that the issue is not serious.
That will come as a major relief to Mikel Arteta, who has already lost Bukayo Saka for around four weeks due to a hamstring strain and could be without Kai Havertz for a couple of months because of a knee injury.
Rudi Voller, director of the German men’s national team, confirmed Havertz would not feature in their upcoming matches against Slovakia and Northern Ireland, admitting surgery remains a possibility.
“He certainly won’t make it, he has a knee injury,” said Völler on Tuesday.
“We don’t know exactly how it will go in the coming weeks, whether surgery is upcoming or it will be treated conservatively.”
Elsewhere, Christian Norgaard is not in the Denmark squad. The midfielder picked up a problem on the eve of the season and has been absent from Arsenal’s first two games.
Arteta said last Friday that he expected the summer arrival to be fit in “another week or so”. Presumably, he’s another doubt for Anfield.
It’s a case of wait and see with Ben White. We may not get an update until Arteta faces the media on Friday.