Mikel Arteta issues new injury update on Martin Odegaard ahead of Atalanta trip | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a new injury update on Martin Odegaard following the club’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

The Gunners returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over their local rivals on Sunday.

They went into the game with a weakened squad, with Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko among the players sidelined with injury concerns.

Declan Rice was also suspended. Despite this, they secured maximum points. Gabriel Magalhaes scored the only goal after he was handed a free header in the box from a corner in the 64th minute.

Arteta was presented with several questions by reporters after the game and one of those was focused on Odegaard.

He did not make the trip due to an ankle injury sustained on Nations League duty with Norway against Austria earlier in the week.

Arteta said via the club’s official website: “Regarding Martin, we still have to wait and see the news. He certainly wasn’t available to play today [Sunday].”

Arsenal struggled for control in the centre of the park in the absence of Rice and Odegaard.

Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz were good in winning their duels, but Jorginho had a tough outing and he was guilty of losing possession in key phases of the derby.

The Italian managed to win just two ground and aerial duels. He is most likely to drop to the bench for the upcoming Champions League game at Atalanta on Thursday.

Rice is certain to return to the starting XI and there could be more changes made by the manager.

Arsenal have a short turnaround time of less than 72 hours before the trip to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City on Sunday.

This could force Arteta to rotate his options. Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling may also be included in the starting line-up.