Mikel Arteta faces anxious wait as another Arsenal star hit with injury scare after Martin Odegaard

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Mikel Arteta is already thinking about how to solve Arsenal’s current squad issue ahead of the North London derby.

The manager is anxiously watching the international break play out, with one round of fixtures remaining for the Arsenal players currently away with their national teams.

With Declan Rice suspended for the duel against Tottenham and Mikel Merino injured, the last thing that Arteta needs is another injury headache within his squad. 

Earlier in the international break, it was revealed that Martin Odegaard has been carrying an injury as the Norwegian checked in for duty. 

• READ MORE: Every Arsenal player on international duty during the September break

Arsenal handed Riccardo Calafiori injury update

Odegaard got through Norway’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Kazakhstan although, failed to impress alongside Erling Haaland in Stale Solbakken’s set-up.

The Gunners captain wasn’t the only player in action that evening, as two Arsenal stars duelled as Italy met France in the Nations League, with the Azzurri prevailing as 3-1 winners.

Riccardo Calafiori’s nation got the better of William Saliba’s squad however, it wasn’t all rosy for the summer signing. 

• READ MORE: What Italy’s media really thought about Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori’s performance vs France

Calafiori limped off during Italy’s win after colliding in a freakish nature with Ousmane Dembele but thankfully, Luciano Spalletti shared a reassuring update on the defender’s fitness.

While Spalletti said there was a ‘good chance’ that Calafiori would be fit for the next game, a fresh verdict from Sky Sports tells a different story.

Sky Italy claim that the Arsenal defender is being ‘monitored’ after suffering an injury against France and was alarmingly ‘not present’ at team training the day after the fixture.

It’s said that as a result, the 22-year-old ‘remains doubtful’ to play against Israel on Monday night.

Mikel Arteta will be hopeful of Calafiori’s return to fitness

While Calafiori is yet to make his full Premier League debut for Arsenal, it’s becoming apparent that the defender’s role is set to be upgraded to crucial.

This is due to the issue that Arteta must solve in midfield ahead of the North London derby, with Jurrien Timber one of the candidates to replace Rice in the middle of the park. 

• READ MORE: How Arsenal could line up for the North London derby after Martin Odegaard injury update

As a result, Calafiori could be called into action to take the Dutchman’s place in the back four, allowing the manager to test the versatility of his two shining left-backs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

For that to happen, the Arsenal boss must have both players return to the Emirates at full fitness, with the concern over Calafiori’s injury growing.

Italy play next on Monday night against Israel, a fixture that Arteta and everyone in North London will hope to see the summer signing avoid partaking in.