Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a positive injury update ahead of the Champions League clash against Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Gunners have had a fantastic campaign across all competitions and are undefeated in their last 15 games, with 13 wins and two draws. They will be eyeing another positive result tomorrow.
Ahead of the game, Arteta has confirmed a major fitness boost. The Spanish tactician said that Martin Odegaard was ‘very close’ to making his injury comeback against Tottenham Hotspur.
He added that the Gunners are scheduled to have a meeting to decide on Odegaard’s availability, and he is optimistic that the Norwegian playmaker will make the matchday squad.
He said (via Arsenal.com): “We are going to have a meeting now to decide on Martin [Odegaard]. He was very close for the previous game, so we are hopeful that tomorrow he can be in the squad as well.”
Odegaard has suffered three separate injuries this term. He initially hurt his left shoulder against Leeds United and sustained a similar setback against Nottingham Forest.
The 26-year-old picked up a medial collateral ligament knee injury against West Ham United on his return to the starting XI in the league. He sustained the untimely injury blow after a clash of knees.
Odegaard has been somewhat unlucky with three freak injuries, and he will be desperate to make his mark on the season. He could be introduced off the bench tomorrow.
Eberechi Eze scored a stunning hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. He has started to flourish in the number 10 role, and there is no need to change things.
Odegaard, valued at £67 million by Fotmob, will eventually become a regular starter in the long run. By then, we could see Eze operate from the left wing, where he has played on several occasions.