Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice are at the centre of Arsenal's summer transfer strategy(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Arsenal make major Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard decisions for Champions League clash

by · football.london

Arsenal will take on Inter Milan at the San Siro in the Champions League on Wednesday night and they will do so without one of their key players. But one other important star is set to return.

Declan Rice has not travelled with the Gunners squad for the league phase clash at the San Siro. The England star missed open training ahead of the flight and football.london can reveal he has not travelled to Italy for the match.

The extent of Rice's injury is not yet known, with the midfielder having played the full 90 minutes of the Gunners' Premier League defeat at the hands of Newcastle United on Saturday lunchtime.

However, Mikel Arteta has been boosted by the return of captain Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian was spotted back in full training with the first team on Tuesday and Odegaard has made the trip to Italy for the clash.

Odegaard has been out of action since August, having picked up an ankle injury in the draw with Brighton. He has not been included in Norway's squad for the upcoming interational break, but could now return to action in the game with Inter.

Arteta had previously stated that he was hopeful his skipper would be back in action before the next international break and that looks like it is going to come true. Arsenal face a London derby with Chelsea pon Sunday when they return to Premier League action.

Arteta will be holding his Champions League pre-match press conference in Milan on Tuesday evening, with the manager due to answer questions about both players. He will also be joined by a player for that press conference and it remains to be seen if the captain will be alongside him.


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