Mikel Arteta says more tests are needed before the full extent of Martin Odegaard’s injury is known, but confirmed Gabriel Jesus should be fit for Sunday’s north London derby.
The Arsenal captain picked up a leg injury while playing for Norway but will miss this weekend’s three trips to Tottenham Hotspur, Atalanta and Manchester City.
“We need some more tests,” Arteta said. Let’s see what happens in the next day. Probably this afternoon.
“Let’s see the extent of the injury and how quickly we can get him back. He’s very positive all around. Martin wants to be here every day, but we’ll have to wait and see.
“I’ll leave that to the doctor. He’s ready and willing to show up for every game, especially an important game like this. We need to make sure we know how good he can be or not first.”
Arsenal will be without their first-choice midfielder with new signing Mikel Merino injured and Declan Rice ruled out.
Arteta said Merino would use the time to learn how the team works so he can slot straight into the squad when he returns, but could not confirm whether he would be back before the next international break.
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There was better news for Gabriel Jesus, however, who has missed the last two games with a back problem.
“Gabi was there (training today),” Arteta said. “He has another session tomorrow and if everything goes well he will be ready to be called up, which is good news for us.”
It’s been five years since they worked together at Manchester City, but it took more than one sentence for Mikel Arteta to convince him that he should team up with Raheem Sterling at Arsenal.
“I was very surprised,” Arteta said. “The first call I had with him, I knew within the first ten seconds that we had to bring him because he really wanted him. That was the only question I had: What stage of his career is he at?’
“After ten seconds I already knew before the next questions that we needed him here.”
Sterling joined on loan from Chelsea on deadline day but was forced to watch from the stands as his new side drew 1-1 with Brighton before the international break.
Arteta has used this time to get to know the winger, whose game has helped him take off in the three and a half years they spent together between 2016 and 2019.
Sterling faces competition from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left wing, but with 186 goals and assists at Liverpool, City and Chelsea, the now-experienced Arteta could prove decisive.
“He looks great,” Arteta said. “He has a lot of energy, he has a smile on his face and he is enthusiastic. He wants to prove something, and when someone finds it in their stomach, you feel it immediately.
“I don’t need to know anything more about his quality and what he can bring to the team.
“What I see is hunger. He’s a player who wants to play every minute. When he doesn’t, he’s not happy. He wants to play every day and I can see that. His commitment and the level of energy he brings to the team is a big boost. You can feel it from the front door. We’re better with him. He’ll make us better.”
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