Martin Odegaard Arsenal injury latest as huge decision made ahead of Tottenham clash

Martin Odegaard has missed the last month because of a knee injury with Arsenal and Norway set to discuss plans for the November international break

Arsenal are set to make a huge Martin Odegaard injury decision over the November international break as he enters the final stages of his recovery with a view to returning for the North London Derby against Tottenham. The Gunners captain has missed the last seven games with a knee injury.

Two separate shoulder problems have also resulted in Odegaard missing more minutes with the summer signing of Eberechi Eze now proving to be very smart. However, the 26-year-old is targeting an imminent return and could be involved in a big moment this week.

The dream scenario for Mikel Arteta will be that Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres all progress over the two-week domestic pause and are available to face Spurs with Kai Havertz making his long-awaited comeback just a little bit after that.

With all of that being said, football.london has rounded up the latest updates surrounding Odegaard and the comments made on his knee injury.

Huge Norway decision

Norway are hoping to have Odegaard in Italy to support his national teammates as they look to finalise their position at the top of Group I in order to seal World Cup qualification.

The Norway captain has previously supported his country when unavailable, but Arsenal will need to give permission for him to travel given how important the next 10 days could be in his rehabilitation. Norway play Estonia on Thursday before travelling to Udine on Sunday.

Arteta update

The most recent update from Arteta on the four players nearing returns, which includes Odegaard, was certainly a positive one with it indicated that one could have even been named in the matchday squad against Sunderland.

"I cannot confirm all of [them are out this weekend], but you are not far off. Some of them, all of them, [could be available after the break], I don't know," he said. "There are a lot of things that have to happen in the next two weeks, and everything has to be perfect, but I think we'll be very close."

While no returns did arrive at the Stadium of Light, the expectation was that Arteta was referencing Odegaard or Martinelli. As it turned out, Madueke was the attacker closest to making a comeback before the break and he could be one player that features for Arsenal under-21s against Cardiff in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening.

Odegaard on what he has been doing while injured

Arsenal supporters have heard from Odegaard while he has been absent with the former Real Madrid man revealing what he had been up to in his programme notes before Arsenal faced Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

"I had to watch the game from home as I’m recovering from my knee injury of course, but the rehab is going well," he was quoted stating.

"I had a few days off after the West Ham game, because I couldn’t do much work and had to rest my knee anyway, so I went to Norway. But I’ve been back for a week now and working every day to keep my fitness up as well as trying to heal the injury, so it’s busy days at the moment."

"I've had some experiences now not being available, last year with my ankle injury and this year with the shoulder as well. I'm there at Sobha every day around the team. I'm in the meetings, I'm at the games so I'm definitely around and helping in a different way."