Arteta confirms major injury blow for Odegaard, issues update on Calafiori and Saka | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a huge injury blow for midfielder Martin Odegaard ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash against Atalanta.

The Norway international picked up an ankle injury on Nations League duty last week and was grimacing in pain as he was taken off the pitch.

Odegaard subsequently missed the visit to Tottenham Hotspur and Arteta has now revealed that he has sustained some damage in one of his ankle ligaments.

He has suffered a ‘quite significant’ injury and could be out for some period of time.

Arteta told reporters: “After recent scans, they showed that he’s got some damage, especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle. It’s something quite significant, so we’re going to lose him for a while.”

However, there was some good news on the injury front. Riccardo Calafiori has recovered from a calf issue on Italy duty and he will be in the squad tomorrow.

Bukayo Saka was substituted during the closing stages last weekend, but he has fully recovered and is in contention to face the Europa League champions.

Arsenal will play eight games in the 36-team league phase of the Champions League. The top eight teams qualify directly for the round of 16 stage of the elite competition.

Clubs finishing between ninth and 24th will be involved in a knockout play-off round. The Gunners may need to win at least six games to make the top eight.

The London giants may also need to focus on the goal difference. With this in mind, the manager is expected to name a strong starting line-up for the curtain-raiser.