Strip off captain badge from Him now before is too late’: Man united legend Rio Ferdinand Warns Arteta to strip off captain badge from Martin Ødegaard and hand it over to One Arsenal player if truly they want to compete for Titles
Martin Odegaard is expected to be fit for Arsenal’s clash with Brentford following the international break.
The Gunners captain has not featured since coming off the bench in the Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham United at the start of the month.
A hip problem has ruled him out of his side’s last three games since then and last week, withdrew from the Norway squad for games against Faroe Islands and Scotland.
Speaking before the international break, Arteta was hopeful he would have his skipper back for the trip to Brentford on Saturday.
With Martin, again he tried his best to be available but it wasn’t possible. We need players back because at the moment we are really struggling.’
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash with Scotland, Norway boss Stale Solbakken revealed he had spoken to Odegaard, confident the midfielder is nearing full fitness.
‘I’ve just come from a 45-minute talk with Martin,’ Solbakken told a press conference. ‘He is getting better and better and gradually stepping up. It has been more or less three weeks without any special training, so it is important to take things step by step.
Both he and Arsenal probably hope that he is available for the Brentford match.’
Odegaard has five goals and an assist to his name this season.
Arteta has been battling a number of injury issues heading into the international break with Thomas Partey ruled out until next year.
Gabriel Jesus has not featured since the win away to Sevilla on 24 October, missing Arsenal’s last five games due to a hamstring injury.
After being called up by Brazil manager Fernando Diniz, Jesus was left out of the squad that was beaten by Colombia in the early hours of Friday morning.
Brazil face a huge showdown on Wednesday against Argentina with Jesus expected to start up front despite concerns back in London over his recent injury.
