Martin Odegaard has provided an update on his fitness ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
Martin Odegaard suffered his second shoulder injury of the season against Nottingham Forest last weekend, playing just 18 minutes before having to come off.
It was a repeat of what had happened three weeks earlier, with Odegaard starting against Leeds United but being forced off in the first half with a shoulder injury.
Odegaard reflected on the two injuries in his pre-match programme notes ahead of Arsenal’s match against Manchester City this weekend, adding that he’s been working to try and be fit for the game.
“My shoulder was very sore, but I’ve just been taking it day by day this week, working hard to hopefully be ready in time for today’s game,” Odegaard said.
“It’s the same shoulder that I hurt in the Leeds United game, pretty much the same injury again, so it’s just really bad luck.
“The first injury had healed really well, I was over it – but then the same thing happened again. It had never happened to me in 11 years, but then it happens twice in two weeks so it’s a strange one, and very unfortunate.
“The challenge itself was fine. I think three of us went for the same ball, and I felt something connect with my foot which kind of flipped me forward, and I couldn’t do anything about how I landed.”
Unfortunately, Sami Mokbel reports for the BBC that whilst Odegaard has indeed stepped up his training over recent days, it remains to be seen whether he’ll be available against City. Mokbel’s sources insist the midfielder may not be ready, so there are certainly no guarantees.
The upside is that Odegaard is even in contention for this match. After two setbacks in a month, the concerns were obviously that the problem could be longer-term.
Whether or not Odegaard is ready to play against Manchester City, the hope now will be that he’s available for the coming weeks as Arsenal prepare to fight on three fronts.