Why Martin Odegaard missed Arsenal vs Man City after surprise Mikel Arteta call

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Martin Odegaard was not passed fit to join Bukayo Saka in the matchday squad in Sunday's Premier League clash against Manchester City.

Odegaard was forced off in the first-half of the Gunners' 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last week with another shoulder problem. The Norway international landed heavily on his left shoulder and was clearly distressed before being replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.

He was also forced off with a similar problem in August when Arsenal beat Leeds United. Odegaard missed the Champions League win over Athletic Club in midweek but Arteta has previously insisted that he is unlikely to need surgery.

On Sunday, Odegaard was left out of the squad completely while Saka returned for selection. The forward had missed the last previous three games after sustaining a muscle problem in the win over Leeds.

Speaking to Sky Sports before the clash with City, Arteta confirmed that his captain wasn't fit enough to be named in the squad at the Emirates Stadium. Asked when he made a decision on returning Saka to the squad, he said: “Yesterday (Saturday), because Martin Odegaard wasn’t fit enough to be here and Piere [Hincapie] as well, he’s out of the squad.

"Thankfully we got Bukayo back and Ben as well, so really good.”

Arsenal also welcomed William Saliba back to the squad after he missed the win over Forest. The defender came back in for Cristhian Mosquera, who has been superb in his absence, alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.

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