Arsenal handed major Martin Odegaard blow as Mikel Arteta provides William Saliba injury update | OneFootball

Arsenal’s early season injury concerns are showing little signs of easing

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

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Arsenal have suffered a fresh injury concern with Martin Odegaard being forced off in the first half against Nottingham Forest.

However, the Norwegian’s afternoon lasted just 18 minutes before being replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.

The injury may be a recurrence of the shoulder injury Odegaard sustained in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds last month.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will provide an update on the attacking midfielder after the game but the 26-year-old is likely to be a doubt for upcoming fixtures with Athletic Club and Manchester City.

Arsenal started against Forest without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and summer signing Christian Norgaard.

William Saliba was also absent from the matchday squad despite making a surprise return in training on Friday after limping off after five minutes at Anfield.

Explaining the decision to not risk the Frenchman, Arteta told TNT Sports: “The amount of games we play in the next 21 days. It is finding that right balance by making sure everybody is connected.

"He [William Saliba] trained yesterday, but at the end of the session he wasn't fully ready to start the game."