Martin Odegaard goes off script and provides Arsenal injury update as absence explained

Mikel Arteta has been been determined to keep injury news under wraps, but Martin Odegaard has missed the memo and provided an update on his fitness.

Martin Odegaard has provided an update on his fitness. The Arsenal captain suffered a knock during the second half of last week's 1-0 win over Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg.

He made way for Kai Havertz, who fired the Gunners to victory at the José Alvalade Stadium. Shortly before Odegaard was replaced by the matchwinner, he sustained a knee problem, which required on-field medical treatment.

The Norway international was later taken off, but he didn't look to be in any discomfort. Odegaard was then also spotted moving freely following the full-time whistle, celebrating the win with his teammates.

At the weekend, the 27-year-old midfielder was left out of the matchday squad. He watched from the sidelines as Bournemouth cruised to victory at the Emirates Stadium, denting Arsenal's hopes of winning the Premier League.

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Speaking to reporters at the Sobha Realty Centre on Friday afternoon, Mikel Arteta didn't provide an update on Odegaard, keeping his cards close to his chest. The Norwegian has since confirmed that he's currently nursing a knee problem.

In a column for the official club website, Odegaard said: "I had to go off during the second half of that game in Portugal last week, feeling my knee, which is why I missed the game at the weekend.

"I caught it a little bit against Sporting, but hopefully it shouldn’t be too bad. I’m desperate to get back as soon as possible because this is the crucial period of the season, in the Premier League and Champions League."

Odegaard also reflected on the win in Lisbon and the defeat to the Cherries. The Arsenal skipper said: "We have put ourselves in a great position in this tie after our win in Portugal last week, and we know exactly what we need to do tonight.

"Of course, Saturday’s result here against Bournemouth was massively disappointing for everyone, so it’s good that this game has come around so quickly to give us the opportunity to respond."

Odegaard continued: "In football you quickly get the chance to put things right, and now we want to do it. You have to go through difficult moments in every season, so the important thing is to use that pain in a positive way to move on to the next one.

"That’s what we want to do tonight back in the Champions League – there is obviously still a lot to play for. We have worked so hard all season and we are determined to make the most of this position we are in.

"We have the opportunity to make history by reaching back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in our history, so let’s make it happen. We got a good win in Lisbon last week.

"It’s always tough to play away in Europe, and Sporting are very strong at home as well. In the knockout rounds, when you play home and away, it’s key to get a good result in the first game, and so for us to come back here with a win from that game was brilliant and exactly what we wanted."