Martin Odegaard’s injury status has been clarified as Arsenal prepares for the potential absence of Declan Rice and Mikel Merino…

Arsenal is gearing up for matches without key players Declan Rice and Mikel Merino due to injury concerns.

Arsenal is preparing for the absence of Declan Rice and Mikel Merino as concerns arise regarding Martin Odegaard’s fitness ahead of the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, scheduled for next Sunday.

Martin Odegaard’s condition has been officially addressed amid concerns for other injured teammates.

Although Odegaard, the captain of Arsenal, believes he is fit for the upcoming international break, his national team manager expresses reservations about his condition.

Odegaard, a pivotal figure in Arsenal’s midfield, was substituted in the 74th minute during the match against Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend, raising questions about his physical state.

The 25-year-old appeared frustrated while sitting on the bench after being taken off.

Throughout the game against Brighton, he received treatment from medical staff multiple times, which likely influenced Mikel Arteta’s decision to substitute him.

In a press conference in Norway, Odegaard sought to alleviate concerns about his availability for the Nations League matches against Kazakhstan and Austria.

He stated, “I feel good. I took a couple of knocks in the match [against Brighton], but I feel better now. I trained normally yesterday without any issues and I am ready for the match.”

However, his international manager, Stale Solbakken, expressed less optimism when addressing the media on Thursday.

“I think it’s another knock,” he remarked. “I was about to say, I think it is something beyond just the knock, so to speak.”

Arsenal supporters are optimistic that Odegaard’s assessment is more precise than Solbakken’s as the Premier League approaches its return.

The Gunners are set to face their arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday, already aware that they will be without Declan Rice and Mikel Merino for the match.

Rice is serving a suspension after receiving his second yellow card during the recent draw against Brighton, while new acquisition Merino is in the process of recovering from a shoulder injury.

Young talents Ife Ibrahim and Andre Harriman-Annous, both aged 16, participated in training this week in preparation for the league’s comeback.