Arsenal receive huge Martin Odegaard fitness boost

Norway manager Stale Solbakken has revealed injured Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard is on track to be fit by the November international break.

The attacking midfielder hasn't played for the Gunners since sustaining ankle ligament damage in a game for his country back in September. While Arsenal have won six of their nine games since, Mikel Arteta's side have undoubtedly lacked a creative spark in his absence.

Fears of a setback earlier this month were rubbished before Arteta hinted his club captain is close to returning to fitness. Now, Norway boss Solbakken has admitted he is optimistic of including Odegaard in his squad for next month's international fixtures.

He told Norwegian outlet Verdens Gang: "Everything indicates that things are going according to plan. So it's about the last steps when you have to train with opponents and in team training. It depends on how he responds to that, but we have a legitimate hope that he is ready.

"I have spoken to him quite regularly. Now that things are starting to move forward, it's easier, but it's no fun being injured. At the same time, he has rarely been injured, so it is probably a matter of training for him."

Odegaard's return will be a huge boost for the Premier League title hopefuls, but the former Real Madrid youngster wasn't included in Tuesday's squad for the Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk and is unlikely to make the cut for Sunday's huge clash with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta has already warned Odegaard could miss the game alongside Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori, while centre-back William Saliba is suspended following his red card in the 2-0 loss to Bournemouth. The potential absence of Jurrien Timber would also limit the options at the Spaniard's disposal.

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