Arsenal have reportedly learnt the extent of Martin Odegaard’s injury ahead of their clash against Manchester City.
This Sunday, Arsenal will visit the Etihad Stadium to face the reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City, in an eagerly anticipated matchup.
During the international break, Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard sustained an ankle injury in Norway’s victory over Austria. The 25-year-old missed last weekend’s North London derby and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
According to The Mirror, Ødegaard may be out for up to eight weeks, a significant setback for Arsenal.
When asked about Ødegaard on Friday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated, “We need to monitor the ankle’s progress over the next week, and then the staff will update me on his recovery timeline.”
He added, “There aren’t any new injuries. After the Atalanta match, we need to recover properly. Everyone is eager for the upcoming game. We understand its importance and see it as a great opportunity to showcase our abilities.”
Manchester City may face a potential setback, as Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is doubtful for the upcoming match.
Regarding De Bruyne’s possible absence, Arteta remarked, “If he doesn’t play, they have world-class options like Gundogan, Bernardo, Phil Foden, and Kovacic. We also have some players missing, and we need to adapt, but top teams don’t rely on just one player, which is crucial for them.”
Pep Guardiola commented, “Kevin feels a bit better, but he’s not ready yet. We’ll train tomorrow and see if he can be involved.”
On the Arsenal matchup, Guardiola noted, “The games have always been tight in recent years because both teams are strong. They’re a complete team in terms of high pressing and transitions. That’s why they’ve been our biggest rivals over the last two seasons. It’s still early in the season, so it’s more about setting the mood for future games.”