Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, has not ruled out captain Martin Odegaard from playing in Sunday’s highly anticipated north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, despite the midfielder suffering a significant ankle injury while on international duty with Norway.
Concerns arose among Arsenal supporters when reports surfaced that Odegaard had sustained a serious injury during Norway’s fixture against Austria.
The talented midfielder was seen limping off the field, and upon returning to London, he underwent further scans to assess the extent of the damage.
Initial diagnoses revealed at least a sprained ankle, with Norway’s team doctor recommending a recovery period of no less than three weeks.
This timeline suggested Odegaard could miss several crucial Premier League matches in the coming weeks.
However, Arteta remains cautiously optimistic about Odegaard’s availability for the derby, emphasizing the need for further evaluations.
“We need some more tests, so let’s see what happens in the next day or so,” Arteta explained to reporters. “This afternoon probably, and see what happens with the extent of the injury and how quickly we can get him back.”
Arteta also commented on Odegaard’s resilience and determination, stating, “He is super positive about everything, we know Martin, he wants to be there every single day, but we have to wait and see. With 48 hours until the game, players could always become available, but let’s see what happens.”
In addition to Odegaard’s injury concerns, Arsenal will be without another key midfielder, Declan Rice, for Sunday’s clash.
Rice received a controversial red card during Arsenal’s recent 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, ruling him out of the upcoming match.
Meanwhile, summer signing Riccardo Calafiori is also a doubt for the derby. The Italian defender picked up a calf injury during international duty with Italy, and although Arteta hasn’t ruled him out entirely, he stressed the need for more time before making a final decision on Calafiori’s fitness.
“We’re evaluating Riccardo,” Arteta shared. “We’ll need to see if he can make it in time for Sunday.”
On a more positive note for Arsenal, deadline day acquisition Raheem Sterling is in line to potentially make his debut in the derby after his switch from Chelsea in the summer transfer window.
Arteta seemed enthusiastic about the prospect of Sterling’s impact. “He looks great. First of all because he has a big smile on his face, a lot of energy. He’s at it and he wants to prove a point,” Arteta added.
With injuries and suspensions clouding Arsenal’s lineup, Arteta’s decisions over the next 48 hours will be crucial ahead of one of the most important fixtures of the season.
