Martin Odegaard Arsenal injury latest - New return update, Arteta verdict, Liverpool decision
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard remains out with an ankle injury picked up while representing Norway during the September international break. The attacking midfielder has already missed nearly six weeks of action with the Gunners significantly missing his impact.
Mikel Arteta and Odegaard himself have delivered numerous updates since he first suffered the injury with a return before the next international break on the cards. In his absence, the creative burden has fallen onto Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka, however the latter is now also carrying an injury.
With Odegaard yet to resume any form of outdoor training, his availability over the coming weeks remains in huge doubt. With all of that being said, football.london has pulled together all the big updates and verdicts on Odegaard.
New update from Norway boss Stole Solbakken
Norway boss Stole Solbakken has offered a seemingly positive update on Odegaard before the next international break begins from Monday, November 11 which comes after Arsenal's Premier League clash against Chelsea. “Everything indicates that things are going according to plan,” he said.
“So it's about the last steps when you have to train with opponents and in team training. It depends on how he responds to that, but we have a legitimate hope that he is ready.”
READ MORE: Arsenal get major Martin Odegaard boost before Liverpool but there's a big catch
READ MORE: Saka starts, Timber returns, Partey role change – Three possible Arsenal changes for Liverpool
Latest verdict from Arteta
Arteta on the other hand, was not full of optimism when asked if Odegaard would be able to feature against Liverpool this weekend.
“I don’t think so [Odegaard fit to play Liverpool]," he admitted. "Martin is frustrated and desperate to return. But hopefully this period will teach him some things that are important in life."
Liverpool decision
It is very likely that a final decision has already been made on Odegaard by Arteta considering the length of his absence and the injury recovery work he is still yet to complete.
With a return on Sunday hard to imagine, the Gunners have a number of challenging fixtures on the horizon, such as trips to Chelsea and Newcastle, where Odegaard could make an impact before the next two-week break commences in early November.
Odegaard recovery admission
In the official programme for Arsenal's Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, Odegaard delivered a lengthy injury update.
"I’ve been working very hard on my recovery in the past few weeks, and missing out on big Champions League nights like this just makes me more determined and motivated to get back as soon as possible,” he wrote. I’m feeling better and better each day, but when it’s an ankle injury you have ups and downs as well.
"Some days you feel really good, and then sometimes you can have a little reaction. But in general, it’s getting better and I feel like I’m getting closer now. I’ve been doing a lot of work in the gym, and was on an anti-gravity treadmill recently, which is really good because it takes the weight off.
"Especially at the beginning that was really good, to be running again like that when you’ve been offloading the leg and not using it as much as normal. That was a good feeling, helping me get back to moving in a normal way, and being able to run after not being able to do that.”