Arsenal may see the return of Martin Ødegaard for their Champions League clash against Inter Milan this week.
Ødegaard has been sidelined since late August following a 1-1 draw with Brighton, where he sustained a serious ankle ligament injury while playing for Norway.
The midfielder’s absence has been keenly felt, but recent reports suggest he has been engaged in light training over the past few weeks, signaling that his recovery is almost complete.
This is timely for Arsenal, who are eager for an injection of creativity in their midfield as they prepare for two crucial matches.
Although Ødegaard was not fit enough to feature in Saturday’s Premier League game against Newcastle, there is optimism he could be available for selection when Arsenal face Inter in Milan on Wednesday.
This Champions League encounter marks the beginning of a pivotal week for the Gunners, as they are also set to face Chelsea in a high-stakes league match on Sunday.
In the meantime, Gabriel Magalhães stepped into a defensive role alongside William Saliba during the recent game at St. James’ Park, despite lingering concerns over his knee.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s defensive worries are gradually easing, but certain key players are still unavailable.
For example, Riccardo Calafiori is not expected to return to the squad, and Takehiro Tomiyasu is still recovering from a knee injury of his own.
To cover for these absences, Thomas Partey has been playing as a makeshift right-back in Arsenal’s last two league fixtures, filling in due to the limited availability of regular defensive options.
However, Ben White, who made a substitute appearance in recent games, could be ready to resume his starting role in the defense.
Arsenal’s Champions League campaign so far has been strong, with the team collecting seven out of a possible nine points without conceding a single goal.
They secured victories at home against Paris Saint-Germain and Shakhtar Donetsk, following a goalless draw with Atalanta.
This solid start to their European campaign puts them in a confident position heading into their upcoming fixture.
Inter Milan, however, have also had an impressive run in Europe.
The Italian side began their Champions League journey with a goalless draw away at Manchester City and followed it up with wins against Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys.
Like Arsenal, Inter has remained unbeaten in the group stage and is yet to concede a goal, setting the stage for a competitive matchup between the two clubs.
As anticipation builds for these significant games, Ødegaard’s potential return could offer a much-needed boost to Arsenal’s attacking lineup.
Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how Arteta’s side performs with their playmaker back on the field, especially as they navigate this crucial phase of their season.
