Martin Odegaard is set to hand Arsenal and Mikel Arteta a major boost at the perfect time. The Gunners have won just two of their last five games in all competitions and are also without a win in three Premier League games after losing to Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday.
The club captain has been missing for a significant period after picking up an ankle injury while playing for Norway during the September international break. In his absence, Arsenal initially continued to pick victories, however they have become far more inconsistent in recent weeks.
A defeat at Bournemouth came eight days before a draw at home to Liverpool with Mikel Arteta’s side now eight points behind their title rivals. A lack of creativity in midfield has greatly impacted Arsenal with Bukayo Saka certainly feeling that burden on his shoulders.
Thankfully for him and Arteta, that looks set to be relieved relatively soon with Odegaard nearing a return to action ahead of the Champions League clash against Inter on Wednesday evening.
“Now is the stage he is going to start doing certain work with us and just see how he deals with pain, if he is moving naturally enough and if he is physically at the level required to compete,” Arteta said on Friday in a press conference.
“But with the work rate and the hours he has put in, I would be surprised if the moment he starts training with us we don’t say he is ready so hopefully soon.” Odegaard is yet to be spotted in a team training session but he will likely have two opportunities to complete at least one before the Gunners’ European clash in Italy.
