Arsenal handed major boost in new seven-man injury update
Arsenal have been handed a major boost over Martin Odegaard, while there have also been positive new reports concerning William Saliba.
Fresh fitness fears over captain Odegaard were sparked last weekend when he was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from Bernardo Silva during Norway’s Nations League defeat by Portugal.
Odegaard fumed over the tackle that saw him kicked in the back of the left ankle after playing the ball, immediately confronting Silva and seen shouting “f**k you” repeatedly at the former Manchester City star.
Afterwards, an angry Odegaard said the challenge “doesn't belong on a football field” as he was then seen limping away from the stadium in Oslo.
The 27-year-old said he hoped he would not have to withdraw from the Norway squad as a result ahead of Thursday’s trip to Wales and the return fixture against Portugal on Sunday.
Odegaard was unable to train with his team-mates on Tuesday due to pain in his ankle as Norway’s medical team stayed in “continuous contact” with Arsenal, but did end up making the trip to Cardiff.
Various updates were forthcoming from Norway head coach Stale Solbakken, team manager Brede Hangeland and team doctor Ola Sand, with improvement reported on Wednesday after a scan and an X-ray had revealed no serious damage.
Solbakken was uncertain if Odegaard would be available for selection against Wales despite his return to training, but he has deemed him fit enough to start and captain Norway in Thursday night’s Nations League Group A4 contest at Cardiff City Stadium.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping that his influential skipper gets through the contest unscathed, with Odegaard having been in excellent form so far this season - scoring four goals in eight appearances across all competitions and starting all but one match.
Odegaard was hampered by injury issues during Arsenal’s title-winning campaign last term, bothered by a recurring shoulder issue before damaging knee ligaments as he started only 16 of their 38 Premier League games in total.
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In other Arsenal injury news, French outlet L’Equipe have reported that key defender Saliba is making good progress in his recovery from a lingering back injury that was exacerbated during the World Cup but did not require surgery.
The report claimed that Saliba is now back running following a latest X-ray and is aiming to return around November, in what would be a major boost for Arteta.
It remains to be seen how long Kai Havertz will miss after injuring his hamstring playing for Germany against the Netherlands last week, while Arsenal are expected to have Declan Rice fit for their Premier League return against Leeds next weekend after he pulled out of the England squad at the start of the extended three-week break.
Ezri Konsa could be involved for England against Croatia on Saturday after being an unused substitute in the win over the Czech Republic following a knock suffered against Spain, while fellow defenders Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera reportedly look set to be fit to face Leeds along with Rice, according to football.london.
Piero Hincapie, meanwhile, is said to remain doubtful with a muscular injury that saw him omitted from the latest Ecuador squad, alongside Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo.