Football

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is nearing his return to action after a two-month absence due to an ankle injury. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that Odegaard is in the final stages of his recovery and could be available for the upcoming Champions League clash against Inter Milan on Wednesday.Odegaard sustained the injury while playing for Norway in a Nations League match in September. His absence has been a significant blow to Arsenal, who have struggled for creativity and leadership in his absence.Arteta praised Odegaard's work ethic and determination during his rehabilitation. "He's physically now at the level required to compete," Arteta said. "With the work rate and hours he has put in, I'd be surprised that the moment he starts training with us; he looks ready. Hopefully, soon."The Norwegian midfielder's return will be a major boost for Arsenal, who are currently third in the Premier League, five points behind leaders Manchester City. The Gunners have collected just one point from their last two games and will be eager to get back to winning ways against Newcastle United on Saturday.However, Arteta ruled out Odegaard's involvement in the Newcastle game, stating that he needs more time to regain full fitness. "He's not ready to play against Newcastle," Arteta said. "We'll see how he deals with pain and if his movement is natural enough."Left-back Riccardo Calafiori will also miss the Newcastle game due to injury, while defender Gabriel is expected to be available if he trains well on Friday.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that the team has had to adapt its tactics in the absence of captain Martin Odegaard, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury. Odegaard has missed Arsenal's last six games, forcing Arteta to change his usual 4-2-3-1 formation.In Odegaard's absence, Leandro Trossard has taken his place in the starting lineup, while Kai Havertz has played alongside him in a two-man strike partnership. This tweak has allowed Arsenal to maintain their unbeaten record in the Premier League, with the Gunners sitting in third place just one point behind leaders Liverpool."We had to be different," said Arteta. "The impact Martin has in everything that we do, it was too big to try to replicate it with one player. We've tried to do it in a different way, adapting a few things, using players' qualities, players that can play in different positions and with the right chemistry around them."Arteta praised the team's ability to adapt, but admitted that they still miss Odegaard's presence. "We found a way, but we still miss him," he said. "We don't have Martin, there are all the things that we cannot do. But as well we have a big threat in other areas and we have to make the most of them."Odegaard is working hard to return to action, but Arteta could not provide a specific timeline for his comeback. "He's working so hard," said Arteta. "He's doing everything he can to get back as quickly as possible, but we don't want to rush him. We want to make sure he's fully fit and ready to go when he comes back."

Arsenal's captain, Martin Odegaard, will be sidelined for an extended period due to an ankle injury sustained while on international duty with Norway. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the news on Wednesday, stating that Odegaard will be out "for a while."The injury occurred during Norway's Nations League match against Austria earlier this month. Odegaard twisted his ankle, prompting concerns about the severity of the damage. Subsequent scans revealed ligament damage, necessitating a significant recovery period.Arteta expressed his disappointment at losing Odegaard, who has been a key player for Arsenal since joining the club in 2021. "We're going to miss him," Arteta said. "It's a significant injury, so we're going to lose him for a while."The Arsenal manager declined to provide a specific timeframe for Odegaard's return, emphasizing that he is not a medical professional. However, he indicated that the injury is not expected to keep Odegaard out for months.Odegaard's absence is a blow to Arsenal's ambitions this season. The Gunners are currently second in the Premier League table, two points behind reigning champions Manchester City. They will face a tough test on Sunday when they visit the Etihad Stadium to take on Pep Guardiola's side.In Odegaard's absence, Arsenal will need to find a suitable replacement in midfield. Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are likely to be the first-choice pairing, but Arteta may also consider using Emile Smith Rowe or Fabio Vieira in a more advanced role.The injury to Odegaard is a reminder of the physical demands of international football. Players are often called upon to play multiple matches in a short period, which can increase the risk of injuries. Clubs must carefully manage their players' workloads to minimize the chances of setbacks.

Arsenal's recent struggles came to an end as they secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. Despite a depleted Wolves side due to injuries, the Gunners faced a resilient opponent that pushed them to the limit.The first half proved to be a stalemate, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. However, on the stroke of halftime, Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock with a well-taken goal. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Wolves defending resolutely and Arsenal struggling to find a way through.As the game entered stoppage time, Martin Odegaard sealed the victory for Arsenal with a clinical finish. The goal came as a result of Wolves' desperation to equalize, which left them vulnerable to the Gunners' counter-attacking threat.The win was a crucial one for Arsenal, who leapfrogged Manchester City to the top of the Premier League table. However, City have a game in hand, so the race for the title remains wide open.Arsenal's victory was praised by Sky Sports commentator Jamie Redknapp, who said: "There's an argument that's Arsenal's biggest win of the season, their most important."