Arsenal suffer another injury blow as midfield star suffers ‘setback’

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has suffered a ‘small setback’ in his bid to get his season back underway for the Premier League title run-in.

The Gunners midfielder has struggled with various injury issues this season, missing 11 games since the turn of the year due to muscle and knee problems.

Odegaard appeared to have completed his recovery during the international break, starting in the FA Cup defeat to Southampton last weekend and again away to Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Norway international appeared to be in some discomfort as he left the pitch in the Portuguese capital, replaced by Kai Havertz with 20 minutes of the match remaining.

The 27-year-old was among the clutch of players absent from first-team training on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

There was also no sign either of Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie, who all missed the last two games, while Riccardo Calafiori was also absent.

Norwegian outlet TV2 reported Odegaard’s issue appeared to be his knee again, but national team boss Stale Solbakken has eased fears it is a long-term problem.

‘Martin “got one” where he shouldn’t have, but I don’t think it’s a bad one. I think he’ll be back on the field in the not-too-distant future,’ the Norway boss said.

‘A small setback, but it doesn’t have to mean much.’

Mikel Arteta will speak to the media on Friday afternoon where he will be expected to provide an update on Odegaard and the other injured members of his squad.

Arsenal lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City before the international break with their FA Cup exit against Southampton reducing their lofty hopes of an unprecedented quadruple to a double.

They are nine points clear at the summit of the Premier League as the action resumes this weekend.