Bukayo Saka was among those with the Arsenal squad ahead of Saturday’s match against Burnley, but Martin Odegaard was seemingly absent.
Gunners fan and YouTuber Miss Melina happened to find herself sharing a hotel with the Arsenal squad on Friday night, as they got some rest before Saturday’s match against Burnley.
The team always share a hotel the night before matches, even when those matches are home games like Saturday’s.
— Mel (@MisssMelina) November 10, 2023
The YouTuber reported on Twitter that injury doubts Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah were both with the squad, as well as youth prospect Reuell Walters. Nketiah could also be seen in training photos ahead of the game.
The bad news is that Martin Odegaard was absent, with the Norwegian captain apparently having lost his race to be fit for the Burnley game.
It’s worth mentioning that Saka and Nketiah may still not be guaranteed to play, despite joining the squad for their pre-match hotel stay.
Arsenal have previously taken Saka along with them even when he isn’t fit, notably doing so before the game against Manchester City, seemingly to throw the opposition off and cast doubt on the accuracy of leaks such as these.
But it’s hard to see a scenario where Odegaard doesn’t join the squad at the hotel and then turns up for the game the next afternoon.
We’ll have to wait for the team news this afternoon for any official confirmation of the lineup, but Melina’s information certainly gives us a hint at the possible involvement of a few Arsenal stars.
As for Walters, his potential involvement in a Premier League squad for what would be the ninth time is a sign of the high regard he’s held in with the club.