Mikel Arteta sees Martin Odegaard Arsenal recovery plan ruined after Norway and Spain decision

Mikel Arteta has been denied the perfect opportunity to recuperate his midfield status quo after Mikel Merino was selected for Spain’s upcoming internationals, despite being an injury doubt.

The Arsenal midfielder was forced off at half-time with a knock to the head in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan but his manager has indicated the issue is not serious. "No, he was not concussed,” Arteta confirmed.

“Yesterday and today he was already not feeling great and when I looked at that I decided to take him off because I need him 100 per cent.”

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Arteta welcomed back Martin Odegaard in this week’s Champions League trip to Italy, the club captain making a late cameo after a 12-game injury absence. He was sidelined for two months after damaging foot ligaments during September’s international break.

Despite his re-emergence, Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has not included the 25-year-old in his squad for this month’s Nations League clashes. He will stay at base alongside Thomas Partey, who has been omitted from Ghana’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers.

"He wanted to come, but I made it quite clear why he is not coming. Like I said, it's confidential,” Black Stars boss Otto Addo explained. “It is difficult for me to mention all the things.

“It's like that. We have to move on. Now, as you know, Thomas is not coming and it's not a permanent thing, so we are always open for him to return.”

Meanwhile, Declan Rice has been included in Lee Carsley’s England roster despite missing the midweek defeat to Inter. He sustained an issue in Saturday’s loss at Newcastle United and remains a doubt for Sunday’s clash with Chelsea.

Ethan Nwaneri has been called up for England’s Under-19 squad while Jorginho has yet to learn if he has made his way back into the Italy set-up having not played for his country since June.

Should he be omitted then Arteta has the chance to engage in full midfield practice with Partey and Odegaard for the next fortnight as the international break ensues. However, neither Jorginho or Partey are considered part of Arteta’s first-choice midfield trio.

Spain star Merino is, but his call-up for his country denies Arteta the chance to work with him further, having already missed pre-season and spent the first month of the campaign injured. He is yet to play alongside Odegaard at all since his arrival.

Arsenal icon Ian Wright believes Merino has yet to get used to the Premier League given his display against Newcastle: “I thought Merino wasn’t tight enough in and around the midfield, I think he’s still getting up to speed.”

Nevertheless, having a first-choice midfield partner to guide Odegaard get back up to top speed himself would have been helpful for cohesion at a time where Arsenal look disjointed.

Arteta will hope no new injury concerns crop up during the international window.