Mikel Arteta has revealed that Martin Odegaard will be out for “weeks”.
The Arsenal captain has had his start to the season blighted by injury, and he is currently sidelined with an MCL problem.
The Norwegian has already been out with a shoulder issue that kept him out for four games, but this time around, he is likely to miss even more crucial matches.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Fulham, Arteta said that Odegaard could potentially return next month.
“It will be weeks,” the Spaniard said.
“No definite date for his return, but he is evolving well. Very unlucky what is happening with him and his injuries this season, but I think he will be back in a few weeks.
“It could be [after the next international break], but we will have to see how he progresses, how the knee is healing, how he manages after the next steps in his rehab. It’s too early to give an answer.”
The Arsenal boss confirmed that Martin Zubimendi and Ben White would both be available for selection, despite both missing training on Thursday.
“All the players come from different countries, with different amounts of games and minutes played,” Arteta explained.
“[Zubimendi’s] load has been really high recently. All the players come from different countries, with different amounts of games and minutes played.
“We believed that it was the right thing to do [to not have him train on Thursday], he played two games again, and he needed an extra day. He will be available.”
There are some welcome boosts for the north Londoners, however, with new signing Piero Hincapie back training after persistent niggles have stunted the start of his Arsenal career, while Noni Madueke, who has been missing since the 1-1 draw with Manchester City because of a knee injury, is “getting closer” to a return to action, according to Arteta.
“He is going to do some running soon,” the Spaniard said of the winger.
As for long-term absentee Kai Havertz, there was less good news when it came to the German.
“Very difficult,” Arteta said of the versatile forward.
“There is still a lot to do in his rehab. He wants to break every timeline, I am sure, but as well we have to protect him.”
Havertz has been missing since the beginning of the campaign with a knee injury.
