Arsenal boss gives update on injuries to Odegaard, Saka, Havertz and more
Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of several players ahead of Arsenal's first division clash with Bournemouth on Saturday night.
The Gunners head to the Vitality Stadium this weekend with a number of injury concerns, but Arteta had positive news in his pre-match press conference this morning.
During the international break there were reports that Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard had suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury he suffered in September and was now facing a report sometime in December. However, Arteta denied those reports and confirmed that Odegaard will return before the November holidays. The Spaniard suggested that next week will be crucial in understanding how close the attacker is to returning to action.
There was also a positive update on Bukayo Saka after he limped out of England's defeat to Greece last week. Arteta says it is not a serious injury and they are hopeful the winger will be available to face Bournemouth tomorrow.
The Arsenal manager also confirmed that Thomas Partey is fit after recovering from an illness. Kai Havertz He should be in contention to face the Cherries if he comes out of training today unscathed after picking up a knock while away with Germany.
Gabriel Martinelli will need to be assessed to see if he is available this weekend after suffering a calf problem with Brazil. Arteta will also check the fitness of Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko and the Arsenal boss expects “some players” to return tomorrow.
There was bad news at today's press conference, however, as Arteta revealed that Takehiro Tomiyasu has suffered a setback after suffering a new injury problem. The injury doesn't look too serious, but the defender faces another spell on the sidelines.
Arteta told reporters today:
about Odegaard: “He won't be fit for this game (against Bournemouth). Next week will be a different story. You need to delete some bookmarks. “Next week will be crucial to understand how close it is.” (fountain: James Olley)
Arteta confirms he expects Odegaard to return before the international break in November (source: Kaya Kaynak)
in saka: “It is not a serious injury. It is evolving very well. He's done a few things in the last two days. We have hope. Let’s see if he can make it in time.” (fountain: Sam Dean)
about Havertz: “He had some issues and we've been dealing with that. If you train well, you have a good chance of being fit and available.” (fountain: Connor Humm)
about Martinelli: “Yesterday he did a little outside, today will be one more step and we will understand it if we take the risk.”
in Partey: “Thomas is fit, yes.”
on white, wood, Zinchenko: “The three of them are quite close. Today we have to try to push. “Hopefully we will have positive news and tomorrow we will have some players back.” (fountain: Carlos Watts)
in Tomiyasu: ““I hope it doesn't seem like a long period. We really need it. He has something else again.” (fountain: Connor Humm)
Arsenal arrive at the Vitality Stadium one point behind the leader Liverpool so they hope to keep the pressure on with another win over Bournemouth on the south coast in Saturday afternoon's opening match.
