Mikel Arteta has given a clear response to concerns over Arsenal’s lack of creativity in the defeat to Newcastle United with Martin Odegaard still absent. The Gunners had just one shot on target at St James’ Park, with that a goal line clearance to deny Mikel Merino, which meant Nick Pope did not need to make one save.
Bukayo Saka did everything he could in front of goal to drag his side back level after Alexander Isak’s early opener, but Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli all failed to make a big impact. Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus brought some life to the Gunners off the bench, but they could not find a way through.
In an attempt to deal with Odegaard’s absence, Arteta has trialled a number of solutions, with the latest a midfield pivot of Declan Rice and Merino that saw Trossard and Havertz each drop back at different moments. The return of a midfielder is clearly required, though, with Odegaard included.
“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.” Being involved in the matchday squad to face Inter in the Champions League next Wednesday looks entirely possible.
