ARSENAL have received a huge injury boost with captain Martin Odegaard set to feature for Norway against Slovenia today.
The midfielder, 23, had been a doubt due to a calf problem he picked up before the 3-0 win at Brentford.
Odegaard missed that clash along with several of his team-mates but he appears to be close to full fitness.
He said he is feeling good and when asked by TV2 if he expects to start, Odegaard said: “We can hope so.
“It feels good so far. Yes [if he is ready to start], I would like to think so.”
Norway manager Stale Solkbakken is also hopeful he will have his playmaker available to start against Slovenia.
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Solbakken said: “Martin Odegaard trained today. If he [Odegaard] wakes up tomorrow as he feels today, there is a good chance that he will play.”
Arsenal will be delighted to have Odegaard back in action with the North London derby just a week away.
The Gunners are just one point ahead of rivals Tottenham and a win would set them up well for a busy October.
Arsenal have seven games next month including the visit of Liverpool a week after Spurs arrive at The Emirates.
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Mikel Arteta’s side also have matches against Leeds, Southampton and Nottingham Forest next month as well as Europa League fixtures against Bodo/Glimt and PSV Eindhoven.
Having Odegaard fit and firing could be crucial over the next few weeks although Arsenal did welcome summer signing Fabio Vieira to the side for the first time at Brentford.
Arteta has had to cope with several injuries in midfield however with Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Oleksandr Zinchenko missing recent games.
Partey missed Ghana’s 3-0 defeat to Brazil but it is thought he was left out as a precaution so could be fit to play against Nicaragua.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
