Mikel Arteta rules key Arsenal player out of Bournemouth clash as huge injury update provided

Mikel Arteta has provided a huge Arsenal injury update ahead of the Premier League clash with Bournemouth

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will not be fit for the weekend clash against Bournemouth.

The midfielder has not played for the Gunners since the 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of August. The 25-year-old suffered a foot injury while playing for Norway in the Nations League during the September international break and has been working his way back to fitness since.

Odegaard now appears to be close to returning, although he will not be involved on Saturday when Arsenal travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth. Speaking to the press ahead of the clash, Arteta said: "He’s not gonna be fit for this game.

"Next week will be a different story. He needs to clear some markers doing things with the ball in that latter stage of rehab. Next week will be crucial."

When asked if Odegaard could play a part in Arsenal's next seven games, before the November international break, the Gunners boss replied: "Hopefully, yes."

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Odegaard himself has previously spoken of how his recovery is going and it appears possible that the former Real Madrid man could make his comeback some time this month. "In the last week or so I’ve made really good progress," Odegaard said.

"I’m getting better and better by the day and feel it’s going well. When you feel like things are moving forward, it gives you motivation to do more and more and work harder."

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