Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Jesus ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners have started their season in good fashion with seven points in three games and they will be aiming for another positive result in the upcoming north London derby.
Ahead of the short trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Arteta has provided an update on Odegaard, Merino and Jesus. The latter has been working with the team today.
The Gunners boss said that Odegaard needs some more tests on his ankle in the next day or so and the doctors will assess whether the captain will be available for Sunday’s game.
He told reporters (live on Arsenal.com): “We need some more tests. Let’s see what happens in the next day or so. This afternoon probably. Let’s see the extent of the injury and how quickly we can get him back.
“Martin wants to be here every day but we have to wait and see. I leave that to the doctor. He’s willing and he wants to be present in every game. We need to make sure we know first how good he is or not.
“Players with 48 hours are always available. Let’s see what happens.”
Meanwhile, the Spaniard said that Merino is recovering from a shoulder fracture and it is a slow process. The club are doing everything possible to get him back into the team.
He added: “Better, it’s a slow process and it takes a while to heal. We’re using this time to make sure he understands and is back to help the team straight away.”
The manager further said that Jesus has been training with the main group after his groin injury. If everything goes well in the final session, he will travel with the squad.
On Jesus, Arteta added: “Gabi was out there. He’s got another session tomorrow and if everything goes well he’ll be with us.”
Arsenal have had a brilliant recent record against Spurs. They have won three of the previous four meetings (one draw) including victories in the last two away trips.
Despite this, they face a testing challenge this weekend. Declan Rice is suspended for the game while Odegaard remains a huge doubt. Merino is already sidelined.
If the captain does not recover in time, Arteta has a selection headache on his hands. He could go with Thomas Partey and Jorginho in midfield with a full debut for wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri.
The other option would be to play Kai Havertz in midfield alongside Partey and Jorginho. In such a case, Gabriel Jesus or Leandro Trossard could lead the attack on Sunday.
