Arsenal receive HUGE Odegaard injury boost

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 31 Oct 2024 13:55 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal have received some extremely positive news concerning Martin Odegaard's injury, according to reports.

The club captain picked up an ankle injury during the international break for Norway but now the Gunners are "optimistic" that he will return for their crucial Champions League match against Inter Milan next week, per the Standard.

It's thought that there is even a "slim possibility" he could make the squad for the forthcoming game against Newcastle. But it's deemed unlikely as they don't wish to rush him back and potentially miss games against Inter and Chelsea thereafter.

Odegaard has been eager to get back on the field, and manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Monday that the Norwegian star has been working on the grass for several weeks in a bid to get back up to fitness.

The 25-year-old sustained ligament damage to his ankle while playing for Norway earlier this month. He missed key matches, against Manchester City and Tottenham, as a result of the injury.

Arteta previously expressed confidence that Odegaard could return before the next international break, saying, "Hopefully yes, but we’ll have to see how he goes."

Merino excited for Odegaard return

Last week Mikel Merino revealed how excited he is to be reunited with Odegaard at Arsenal.

The two midfielders actually know each other from their Real Sociedad days and Merino has now detailed how excited he is to once again work with the Norwegian.

"It has been a long journey for him and for me," Merino said of the playmaker. "That finishes now playing together again. We played maybe four, five or six years ago. I saw him as this really talented kid that was just magic in the number 10 position.

"He made my job really easy because he's the one who moves really good in the pockets, he turns, plays quick and for me, as a number eight back in the day, I used to find him a lot and he used to make my passes better. It's amazing how he has evolved and developed.

"Now he's a grown man, the captain, the leader of this club and you can hear the maturity in his voice, how he acts, talks to people and behaves on the pitch. It's great to be back with him again and hopefully we can keep building that relationship and connection that we have."