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Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Martin Odegaard will be sidelined for 'weeks' following the Arsenal captain's most recent injury blow, as Liverpool gets a title boost ahead of its game with Manchester United.
Odegaard, 26, damaged the medial collateral ligament in his left knee during the opening period of the Gunners' emphatic 2-0 victory over West Ham prior to the international break, ruling him out of Norway's recent matches.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal's Premier League encounter with Fulham on Saturday, Arteta has now offered a fresh update. "It will be weeks, no definite date for his return but he is evolving well," the Gunners manager confirmed.
"Very unlucky, but he will be back in a few weeks... I think he's in a really good place. He does everything he possibly can to prevent injuries. The ones he had are very difficult to prevent so that takes some weight off. When you don't have an option, you adapt."
This adjustment may see Eberechi Eze slot into the No. 10 role, as occurred when Odegaard was previously injured in September.
Arsenal faces Fulham on Saturday, aiming to strengthen its position at the summit after overtaking defending champions Liverpool a fortnight ago.
Arteta also provided fitness bulletins on the injured pair Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz.
"(Madueke is) getting closer as well, he will start to do some running very soon," he revealed. Regarding Havertz, who has only made one appearance since the start of the season, Arteta confessed: "Again very difficult, a lot to do in his rehab and he's really pushing it, we are doing good work with him again. He wants to break every timeline."
Piero Hincapie, a left-sided defender, has only seen five minutes of action since his summer loan move from Bayer Leverkusen due to an injury sustained in training. However, Arteta had some positive news to share.
"He trained today (Friday) again with us and if everything is right, he will be available," the Arsenal boss confirmed.
Arteta emphasised the importance of squad depth in managing the impact of injuries to key players like Odegaard: "We had to increase our availability in the squad, the impact anyone could have in the game.
"To thread the positions, to be super consistent and we've gone to a different level, and in the next block, it is about sustaining that."
Arsenal have struggled in their recent visits to Craven Cottage, failing to secure a win in their last two outings. Last season saw a 1-1 draw against their London rivals, while Fulham claimed a 2-1 victory the previous year.
"We know it's a really tough place to go against a very well-coached team," Arteta admitted.
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