Arsenal are preparing to face Southampton in the Premier League this weekend.
The Gunners remain unbeaten this season and are coming off a comfortable win against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in midweek.
Goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka secured victory for Arteta’s team against the French champions.
Arsenal received a huge boost in the Champions League after new signing Mikel Merino made his debut for the club following his return from injury.
Captain Martin Odegaard is still sidelined with a long-term injury and his return is still unknown.
Ahead of the game against Southampton, the Arsenal manager has given an update on his captain.
Arteta said, as reported The Independent:
“Martin is very difficult. I was hoping he’d still have a boot on and stuff – he’s working hard, feeling good and pushing. It’s hard to give a timeline.”
Odegaard picked up an injury in his international match with Norway and is expected to be sidelined for weeks.
In his absence, the Gunners have played well and managed impressive results against Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester City, Atalanta and Paris Saint-Germain.
Arteta will be delighted to go unbeaten against all those teams despite missing the club captain.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had a positive update
The Gunners boss also provided an update on the injured Oleksandr Zinchenko and had something positive to say about his full-back.
🚨🔴⚪️ Arteta on Ødegaard’s return: “It’s very difficult with Martin to say when he’ll be back… but he’s working so hard to be ready as soon as possible, he’s pushing.”
“Zinchenko could be ready after the international break”. ⏳🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/8nrbArzNSf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 4, 2024
Arsenal are 3rd in the league and will be expected to add more misery to Southampton’s already miserable season so far.
The Gunners could go top of the league if Liverpool fail to overcome Crystal Palace early on.
