Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on two players ahead of the Premier League clash against Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The Gunners are presently top of the standings with 67 points, seven ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium.
Arteta’s side are in league action first this weekend and have the opportunity to go 10 points clear before the Cityzens face West Ham United in the later kick-off tomorrow.
In his pre-match press conference, Arteta said Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard will be assessed to determine whether they can be selected for the squad.
He said: “We’ll see. We will have to wait and see and speak to the doctors on whether they are involved or not.”
Odegaard has been struggling with a knee injury picked up at Brentford last month. The 27-year-old did make a cameo appearance in the north London derby, but has not been comfortable playing since.
Meanwhile, Trossard sustained an undefined injury during the FA Cup fifth-round win at Mansfield Town.
The Belgian returned to training before the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie at Bayer Leverkusen, but he was not included in the matchday squad on Wednesday.
Both injuries appear to be short-term, but Arsenal may not take any risks, given they have a huge run-in ahead and can’t afford another setback by rushing them back to action.
Hence, we won’t be surprised if neither of them makes the matchday squad against the Toffees.
Arsenal will aim to complete the league double over the Merseyside outfit. They beat them 1-0 in the reverse fixture and should fancy their chances of picking up another victory.