Mikel Arteta began Friday’s press conference by confirming that Martin Odegaard is “definitely” out of Arsenal’s match against Newcastle United this weekend, but his general update on the midfielder was quite positive.
Sami Mokbel reported for the Daily Mail on Monday that Odegaard was scheduled to return to training on the grass this week, but it was unclear when Arteta would then deem him fit for selection.
But in his press conference, Arteta suggested that the club captain should be ready to play as soon as he’s back training with the team.
“Now is the stage when he will do certain work with us,” Arteta said.
“Let’s see how he deals with pain, if he moves naturally enough, if he is physically now at the level that requires him to compete.
“But with the workrate and the hours he’s put in, I would be surprised that the moment he starts training with us, we don’t say that he looks ready. So hopefully soon.”
The big away games just keep coming over the next week, with the trip to Newcastle followed by a match away in Milan against Inter and then a visit to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
Odegaard is evidently not ready for Saturday’s game, but perhaps there is some chance he could make the squad for the latter two fixtures before the next international break.
