Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has suffered a ‘small setback’ in his bid to get his season back underway for the Premier League title run-in.
The Gunners midfielder has struggled with various injury issues this season, missing 11 games because the turn of the 12 months as a consequence of muscle and knee problems.
Odegaard appeared to have accomplished his recovery in the course of the international break, starting within the FA Cup defeat to Southampton last weekend and again away to Sporting CP within the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Norway international seemed to be in some discomfort as he left the pitch within the Portuguese capital, replaced by Kai Havertz with 20 minutes of the match remaining.
The 27-year-old was among the many clutch of players absent from first-team training on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
There was also no sign either of Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie, who all missed the last two games, while Riccardo Calafiori was also absent.
Norwegian outlet TV2 reported Odegaard’s issue seemed to be his knee again, but national team boss Stale Solbakken has eased fears it’s a long-term problem.
‘Martin “got one” where he shouldn’t have, but I don’t think it’s a nasty one. I feel he’ll be back on the sector within the not-too-distant future,’ the Norway boss said.
‘A small setback, however it doesn’t should mean much.’
Mikel Arteta will speak to the media on Friday afternoon where he shall be expected to offer an update on Odegaard and the opposite injured members of his squad.
Arsenal lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City before the international break with their FA Cup exit against Southampton reducing their lofty hopes of an unprecedented quadruple to a double.
They’re nine points clear on the summit of the Premier League because the motion resumes this weekend.
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