Martin Odegaard 'sets return date target' as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to have wish denied

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is reportedly hoping to be back in action in eight weeks. Mikel Arteta recently stated that he hoped his skipper would not be out of action for ‘months’ after sustaining ankle ligament damage while on international duty.

But those hopes have been dashed as Odegaard could spend two months on the sidelines even if his recovery process goes to plan, with The Mirror reporting that the home clash against Nottingham Forest on November 23 has been earmarked as his hopeful return date.

Arteta admitted, ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League clash with Atalanta tonight (Thursday), that medical tests had revealed ‘significant’ damage to a ligament in Odegaard’s ankle and he would be out for ‘a while’.

The Arsenal boss shied away from putting a more specific timeline on his recovery, but if he is out for eight weeks as reported, the north Londoners will be without their key creative spark for the next 12 matches.

Heavyweight clashes against Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Inter Milan and Chelsea are included in that run. Arteta will therefore have no choice but to think on his feet and reshuffle his pack.

“(Odegaard) is our captain,” Arteta said during his press conference on Wednesday. “He’s been one of the biggest and best players in our team. Our identity is very linked to how he plays and behaves. It’s a big test for the team to see how able we are to show a different face.”

Arsenal’s options are limited in midfield, despite Declan Rice preparing to make his comeback from suspension against City this weekend. New signing Mikel Merino is nowhere near ready to return after suffering a shoulder injury in his very first training session.

Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira, who could have stepped in as replacements for Odegaard in attacking midfield, were both moved on in the summer, with the former joining Fulham permanently and the latter heading to FC Porto on loan.

Odegaard’s absence could force Arteta to put his faith in 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri over the coming weeks. The youngster made his Premier League debut at 15 and has gradually been given more responsibility ever since.

Another option at Arteta’s disposal is to drop Kai Havertz into midfield from his centre-forward role. But the German, who has had an up-and-down time in the Premier League, is in fine form through the middle and will not want his rhythm to be disrupted.