Arsenal will be without several key players when they face Newcastle United on Sunday, but Mikel Arteta offered cautious optimism over Martin Ødegaard’s fitness.
The Arsenal captain has missed the last two matches after aggravating a shoulder injury against Nottingham Forest, but Arteta told reporters: “Martin will be training with us the next two days, so hopefully he will be fit.”
Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke are all sidelined with knee problems, while summer signing Piero Hincapié remains a doubt due to a groin issue but given the way the update was worded on Arsenal.com he seems unlikely to feature.
Asked about Madueke’s progress, Arteta said: “No update yet” with the player not yet undergoing a scan.
The was a bright note in the confirmation that no fresh injuries were sustained during the midweek Carabao Cup victory at Port Vale.
Bukayo Saka, being carefully managed after his recent hamstring trouble, completed an hour as planned. “Nothing to report there. I think he played the games that we anticipated, he did well, he feels good and he will be training the next few days,” Arteta said.
With Newcastle also depleted – missing Fabian Schär, Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey, though Anthony Gordon returns from suspension –- the contest at St James’ Park is set to be yet another tough one.