Mikel Arteta Issues Update on Martin Odegaard After Captain’s Injury vs Nottingham Forest
- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued an update on captain Martin Odegaard’s latest injury
- Arteta was forced into a change in the first half after the Norwegian went down holding his shoulder
- Ethan Nwaneri completed the match as the Gunners thrashed Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Emirates
Mikel Arteta has provided an update on captain Martin Odegaard’s latest injury after he went off in the first half of Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Odegaard was forced off holding his shoulder in the 17th minute, and youngster Ethan Nwaneri replaced him for the rest of the match.
Source: Getty Images
The Gunners won 3-0 thanks to a brace from midfielder Martin Zubimendi on either side of Viktor Gyokeres' goal, to give Ange Postecoglou a losing return to the league.
Arsenal temporarily moved to the top of the table with 10 points from four matches, with the matchday ending on Sunday with the Manchester derby.
Arteta provides update on Odegaard's injury
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during his post-match conference shared the latest update on Odegaard's injury, and it doesn't look good, with the full extent expected after assessment.
“Yes, very similar. I don't know if it's exactly the same place, but it's a very similar injury. He wasn't comfortable continuing. He played two games with Norway, unfortunately, he cannot carry on today,” he told arsenal.com.
“So we have to assess him with the doctors and see, but I'm sure he will try his best to be fit for Tuesday.”
The manager is uncertain whether the Norwegian international will need surgery, but Tuesday's trip to Estadio San Mames to face Athletic Bilbao in the UEFA Champions League may come too early.
“No, I don't think that. I'm not an expert, but they weren't concerned at that level at all. The last time in a few days, he was able to manage the pain, especially as the injury wasn’t that bad. I don't know the extent of two days, but hopefully,” he concluded.
Odegaard first suffered the shoulder injury during the 5-0 win over Leeds United, but it was ruled as minor, featured against Liverpool before joining Norway for the international break.
The captain adds to Arsenal’s injury worries, which already include top stars Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, both of whom went off injured before the international break.
Source: Getty Images
According to Sports Mole, the defender withdrew from France's squad for the international break, but Arteta confirmed that he is nearing a return as he had joined the full training.
However, the Gunners do not have much to worry about as summer signing Cristhian Mosquera has fitted in seamlessly in Saliba's absence.
Saka's injury length revealed
Legit.ng previously reported on how long Bukayo Saka will be out for after suffering a hamstring injury during Arsenal's 5-0 win over Leeds United.
Mikel Arteta confirmed that it was a different leg from the one that kept him out injured for nearly three months last season and required surgery.
Source: Legit.ng
