Martin Odegaard shares injury update as Arsenal captain explains his non-negotiable

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Arsenal take on Everton but doubts remain over Martin Odegaard as he aims to overcome a niggling knee problem

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard says he is stepping up his bid for full fitness as he expresses the importance of being "100 percent again".

The Norwegian reiterated his desperation to return to the fold and bolster the selection options as he hasn't featured for the Gunners since his cameo in the North London Derby win over Tottenham Hotspur last month. Odegaard came off the bench and provided an assist in the 4-1 rout but has been sidelined since as he struggles to overcome a niggling knee injury.

Odegaard has missed the last four matches with Mikel Arteta's side continuing their march in the FA Cup and at the top of the Premier League, while they go into Tuesday's Champions League second-leg against Bayer Leverkusen level following a 1-1 draw.

The Spanish tactician comes up against former club Everton on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off) with David Moyes looking to get one over on his former midfielder, denting their title aspirations but boosting the Toffees' European hopes as they sit five points off the Europa League places.

Odegaard said: "After a few away games recently, it’s great to be back home in front of our own supporters again this afternoon.

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"I’m desperate to get back to playing as soon as I can. It’s been difficult for me with the knee injury lately, but I’m working as hard as I can to get back to full fitness now.

"The main thing is to be 100% again, and make sure I can properly help the team.

"It’s obviously another big game for us this afternoon against Everton, and the team are really focused. Everton are a really strong team, a really physical team who are good in all different aspects of the game.

"It’s always a big test against them, so we need to be really on it today from the first whistle, go out there and enjoy it, and fight to get the win.

"Being back home is something we are all looking forward to now, and all playing our part to keep the momentum up. We don’t play another league game after this for a few weeks, so this game is going to be so important going into that period, making sure we put ourselves in a strong position."

With Manchester City visiting West Ham United at 8pm, Arsenal can create a 10-point gap before a ball has been kicked in East London.

The two clubs lock horns next Sunday (4.30pm) before the international break in the Carabao Cup final but Saturday's encounter means the Gunners know that they can take a significant step toward ending their two-decade wait to win the Premier League with a win.

Arteta said: "You just have to go in that dressing room and feel the mood, the energy and the way we talk to each other and how much we value the position that we have right now and how much we want to, for sure be in the same position at the end of the season, and that depends on us.

"So our focus is on what we have to do, what we have to maintain and what we have to improve together."