Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Oleksandr Zinchenko and Martin Odegaard will be out for at least a few more weeks, making their returns unlikely pre-international break.

Mikel Arteta has hinted that Arsenal have picked up new injuries during their game against Manchester City on Sunday, but the Gunners also have a few existing injury problems to worry about.

Two of those involve Oleksandr Zinchenko and Martin Odegaard, and Arteta gave updates on both in his most recent press conference.

Zinchenko has missed Arsenal’s last three games with a calf problem, with no real clarity over the length of the injury. Arteta has now revealed the bad news that the defender is set to be out for “a few more weeks”.

The news was somewhat more positive on Odegaard, with Arteta saying: “I think it will be a matter of weeks, but how long exactly I cannot tell.

“We might get a surprise but I think it’s unlikely he’ll be back before the international break.”

Previous reports had claimed the midfielder could be out until November, so the suggestion that he’s only currently ruled out until after the international break could hint at a slightly earlier return than expected.

That would be a major boost for Arsenal, because the Gunners face Liverpool at the end of October, followed by games away to Newcastle United, Inter Milan, and Chelsea to kick off November.

If the team can muddle through until then, it would be a real positive to have Odegaard back for that run.