Latest Arsenal injury news as Mikel Arteta’s injury problems continue to pile-up after Martin Odegaard missed the North London derby
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has provided a small update on the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard after Sunday’s 1-0 North London derby win over Tottenham.
The Gunners returned to winning ways thanks to Gabriel Magalhaes’ header on the hour mark. It means that they have now won their last three trips to their fierce rivals for the first time since 1988.
Arteta’s men were well worth the three points despite being without two key players. Declan Rice was forced to sit out after being sent off against Brighton before the international break while Martin Odegaard missed the game due to injury.
Odegaard suffered the issue while on international duty with Norway in the week. There was no place in the matchday squad at all for the Gunners captain, forcing Arteta to name five teenagers on the bench.
After the win in north London, Arteta was asked about Odegaard’s injury. The Spaniard said: “Martin, we still have to want and see. He wasn’t available today.”
There was a new injury concern for the Gunners boss to contend with when Bukayo Saka was forced off with a slight knock in the 86th minute. He was replaced by Ethan Nwaneri shortly after Arteta shuffled his attack with the introduction of Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling.
“I don’t know,” Arteta said on the forward. “I made two changes with the front players and suddenly he’s down. I don’t know exactly what it is but he could not continue.”