Martin Odegaard Arsenal injury return theory emerges for Man City clash amid Bukayo Saka hopes

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will hope to have both Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard back from injury for this Sunday's Premier League clash against Manchester City at Emirates Stadium.

Saka and Odegaard suffered hamstring and shoulder issues respectively during the 5-0 win over Leeds United back on Saturday, August 23 with the former absent since then while Arsenal's captain returned to action the following week off the bench in the defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

He then started two games for Norway over the September international break but was forced off after just 18 minutes with a similar issue on his return to Arteta's starting XI against Nottingham Forest last weekend.

"I don't know if it's exactly the same place, but it's a very similar injury [to his previous shoulder problem]," he said when asked about Odegaard's injury during his post-match press conference. "He wasn't comfortable continuing. He's played two games with Norway; unfortunately, he cannot carry on."

Just a few days later, Arteta ruled Odegaard out of the Champions League clash away at Athletic Bilbao. He was also able to issue a new update on how Saka's recovery had been going with a return this weekend seemingly off the table.

"I think there's still quite a lot of things to go through," he admitted on Monday. "It’s very early to understand when, which week he's going to be available, but he will certainly be pushing to be available as quick as possible."

There was some hope that Saka could be back for the visit of Pep Guardiola's side but Arteta's comments suggest a return in October is far more likely.

Odegaard was able to return from his first shoulder injury eight days after picking it up, with that exactly the same amount of time between the Forest win and City clash. However, he could have suffered further damage which makes an imminent comeback not guaranteed.

A potential boost emerged on Wednesday though, with the 26-year-old spotted out on the grass at London Colney. With Arsenal having played in Spain the previous night, it was not for a training session with Odegaard joined by his teammates and Arteta for their annual squad photo.

Those updates have seen X user @omar_arsenal94 present an Odegaard injury return theory that suggests he will be available for selection this weekend.

In one of the pictures taken, the 26-year-old has his shoulder elevated in order to rest his elbow on Gabriel Magalhaes. A still image moments before suffering another impact injury shows it was the same shoulder with it appearing as though he has a good range of motion.

Until Arteta provides a fresh update in his next press conference on Friday, it is still unclear whether or not Odegaard will be able to feature against Man City but the signs appear to be good regarding a return.

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