Arsenal may now have Martin Odegaard available for their trip to Anfield on Sunday.
The Gunners visit rivals Liverpool in an early-season Premier League title race six-pointer, with both sides expected to be without key players for the clash.
Jeremie Frimpong won’t feature for Arne Slot’s team, while Bukayo Saka has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Mikel Arteta is also likely to be without Ben White, Kai Havertz and Christian Norgaard, all of whom are recovering from setbacks.
Martin Odegaard called up to Norway squad for September internationals
Arsenal’s trip to Liverpool comes immediately before a two-week international break at the start of September.
Surprisingly, Martin Odegaard has been named in Norway’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Moldova, after having sustained a shoulder injury against Leeds on Saturday at the Emirates.
Odegaard was forced off the pitch shortly before half-time, having tried to play on following a collision earlier in the game.
There were initial fears that the Norwegian could be out for some time, although reports emerged on Monday indicating that the injury isn’t severe.
However, Odegaard was still said to be a doubt for the Liverpool game, with many hypothesising how Arteta might replace his captain in an encounter of such magnitude.
That said, the Gunners have been handed a huge boost with Norway’s squad announcement, with Odegaard’s inclusion likely suggesting that he’s ready to play again right away, and could be in contention for Anfield.
Arsenal would suffer without Martin Odegaard
Odegaard struggled at times last season, failing to find the creative form that he demonstrated in the previous two campaigns.
The 26-year-old’s poor form coincided with Arsenal’s results and performances dropping off, highlighting how crucial it is for Arteta’s team that their skipper is at his best.
Without Odegaard, the Gunners lack a creative, metronomic passer, with neither Ethan Nwaneri nor Eberechi Eze capable of fulfilling this role.
While both Nwaneri and Eze will offer more direct dribbling and take more shots, neither can replace what Odegaard brings in the build-up or in the press.
Thus, it’s essential that the Norway international is fit to play on Merseyside.
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