Arsenal injury latest as Martin Odegaard absent from training but Bukayo Saka returns | OneFootball

The skipper remains sidelined and a major doubt to face Man City

Arsenal have been boosted by the fitness of Bukayo Saka ahead of their Champions League opener against Atalanta on Thursday, but Martin Odegaard was absent from training.

Saka was forced off late on in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Tottenham on Sunday but is fit to face Atalanta.

Odegaard missed training on Wednesday as he battles to return in time for Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester City at the Etihad.

The captain sustained an ankle injury playing for Norway during the international break and did not train with the Arsenal squad this morning ahead of the flight to Italy.

Martin Odegaard is now a huge doubt for the trip to Man City

Action Images via Reuters

He underwent multiple scans last week and is understood to have seen a specialist this week.

New signing Riccardo Calafiori has returned to training after missing the Spurs win with an injury he suffered playing for Italy.

Arsenal were without seven first-team players for last week’s north London derby with Tottenham, but they will be boosted by the return of Declan Rice for Thursday’s game in Italy after he was suspended for the win at Spurs.

Bukayo Saka has handed Arsenal a fitness boost

Adam Davy/PA Wire

Oleksandr Zinchenko, who picked up a calf injury during the international break, was missing, which means Arteta could be forced to put several youngsters on the bench on Thursday.

The Gunners had five teenagers among their substitutes for their win at Spurs, with 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri coming on in the closing stages after Saka came off.

Summer signing Mikel Merino is still out after injuring his shoulder last month in his very first training session.

Riccardo Calafiori is now in contention to face Atalanta

Adam Davy/PA Wire

Kieran Tierney remains absent due to the hamstring injury he suffered playing for Scotland at Euro 2024.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is still not back in training due to the knee injury he sustained during pre-season.