As the October international break draws to a conclusion, Arsenal fans are holding their breath for news on the fitness of their key players, especially Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. With several important fixtures coming up, including clashes against Bournemouth, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Liverpool, manager Mikel Arteta will be eager to see his players return from international duty unscathed and healthy.
Unfortunately, the Gunners have not had the best of luck on that front. Two of their best players, Saka and Odegaard, have picked up injuries that could impact Arsenal’s form in the weeks ahead.
Arsenal have started the season strong, and are looking like title contenders again in the Premier League. They also have four points from their two matches in the Champions League. Fans are certainly encouraged with this rich vein of form and will be seeking to further cheer and support the team. For them to do this, they will need to purchase Arsenal tickets from an online resale store.
Saka’s injury scare & Odegaard recovery update
Bukayo Saka, who has been crucial to Arsenal’s season so far, suffered a knock while playing for England against Greece in the UEFA Nations League. The match ended in a 2-1 defeat for England, but the bigger concern for Arsenal fans was seeing Saka limping off the field in the 52nd minute. After the game, England caretaker manager Lee Carsley confirmed that Saka would undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury.
“He is being assessed,” Carsley said during his post-match press conference. “You could see he felt something in his leg before the first goal.” Although the full extent of the injury is not yet clear, Saka was sent back to Arsenal for further checks.
For a player like Saka, who has started every game for Arsenal this season, any injury is a cause for concern. His performances have been vital in keeping Arsenal in contention across competitions, and his absence would undoubtedly be felt. However, there is hope that Saka’s injury is not too severe, and the club is working hard to ensure he returns to the pitch as soon as possible.
While Saka’s injury is a recent concern, Arsenal has been dealing with Martin Odegaard’s absence for a while. The club’s captain picked up an ankle injury during the international break in September and has been sidelined ever since. Fans were hoping to see the Norwegian midfielder back in action sooner rather than later, but recent reports have suggested that his recovery will be taking longer than expected.
However, there is some good news on that front. Odegaard has provided an update on his injury, offering hope that he could return to action in November. Speaking in his program notes ahead of Arsenal’s last game before the current international break, Odegaard shared positive news about his rehabilitation.
“I have made really good progress in the last week or so,” Odegaard wrote. “I’m getting better and better by the day, and it’s going well. When you feel like things are moving forward, it gives you motivation to work harder.”
While Odegaard’s recovery appears to be on track, Arsenal are still taking things one step at a time. The midfielder is expected to return to training soon, and how his ankle responds to that will determine when he can make his comeback. Fans are optimistic, but patience will be key as the club continues to monitor his recovery.
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What these injuries could mean for Arsenal
The timing of these injuries couldn’t be worse for Arsenal. With a jam-packed schedule ahead, losing two very important players like Saka and Odegaard could significantly impact the team’s chances of maintaining their strong start to the season. Both players have been instrumental in Arsenal’s rise in prominence in recent years, with Saka providing creativity and pace on the wing, while Odegaard controls the game from midfield with his vision and passing.
If Saka is ruled out for any extended period, Arteta will have to consider his options carefully. Leandro Trossard, who scored for Belgium during their 2-2 draw against Italy in the international break, could be called upon to fill the gap left by Saka. Trossard has proven to be a reliable player for Arsenal, and his goal for Belgium against Italy continued his rich vein of form this season.
As for Odegaard, his absence has already been felt in recent weeks. Arsenal have had to rely on other midfielders like Declan Rice and Kai Havertz to step up in his place. While these players have done their best, there is no denying that Odegaard’s creativity and leadership are hard to replace. His return in November would provide a huge boost to Arsenal as they navigate their way through a challenging period of the season.
Arteta, will be keen to have his full squad available as Arsenal look to ramp up the pressure at the top of the Premier League and progress in the Champions League. The upcoming games against Bournemouth, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Liverpool will be crucial in determining how Arsenal’s season shapes up, and the presence of players like Saka and Odegaard could make all the difference for them.
For now, Arsenal fans can take comfort in the fact that Odegaard’s recovery is going well, and there is hope that Saka’s injury may not be as bad as initially feared. The club will continue to monitor both players closely, and Arteta will be eager to welcome them back into the fold as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Arsenal’s double injury blow with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard is a concern for the club and its fans. However, there is reason for optimism, especially with Odegaard making good progress in his recovery. Saka’s injury is still being assessed, but the hope is that it is not too serious. Mikel Arteta will be hoping for positive news on both players, and fans will be eagerly awaiting updates as the international break comes to an end.
Main image credit: IMAGO / Uk Sports Pics Ltd