Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided updates on the fitness of key players Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard ahead of the team’s upcoming Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka, who missed Arsenal’s recent 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth due to a hamstring injury sustained on international duty with England, is making good progress in his recovery. Arteta revealed that Saka is pushing to be fit for the match, but the decision will be made based on his fitness closer to kick-off.
Martin Odegaard, on the other hand, has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury with Norway last month. Arteta denied reports of a major setback in Odegaard’s recovery and suggested that the club captain could be back in action before the November international break. However, his availability for the upcoming match remains uncertain.
On Jurrien Timber Arteta said he is yet to join in with a full training session.
“I think it’s going to be close. Obviously we have to see how he deals with training with the whole group because he hasn’t done that yet. He will be pretty close hopefully.”
Arteta also said Timber’s issue was “muscular” and not to do with his knee, an obvious concern for fans after he missed almost the entirety of last season after rupturing his ACL.
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