“We'll have to wait and see” | Mikel Arteta provides injury update on Martin Odegaard

Arsenal’s Captain Under a Cloud: Will Martin Ødegård Be Fit for North London Derby?

As the highly anticipated North London Derby approaches, concerns are growing over the availability of Arsenal’s captain, Martin Ødegård. The Norway international midfielder picked up a serious-looking ankle injury while playing for his national team during the international break and is unlikely to return to training within the next 48 hours.

While Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, hasn’t ruled Ødegård out of the match just yet, further tests are needed to assess the extent of the injury. "He’s super positive about everything," Arteta said in a recent press conference. "We need to make sure we know first of all how good he can be, or not, but not ruling him out, not ruling him in."

However, one player who may be able to feature is new signing, Rahee Sterling, who is likely to make his debut against Tottenham. Sterling has brought a much-needed injection of energy and hunger to the team, with Arteta praising his commitment and quality. "He’s a player that wants to play every minute of every game," Arteta said. "He’s got a big smile on his face, a lot of energy, and wants to prove a point. He loves football and it shows in everything he does."

Ødegård’s Injured Ankle: The Verdict Still Out

Despite Arteta’s upbeat assessment of Ødegård’s positivity, there is still no clear timeline for his return to the pitch. With swelling a major issue, it’s impossible to provide a prognosis, and Arsenal will likely wait for the results of further tests before making a decision on the captain’s availability.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans will be eager to see how the team will fare without their inspirational leader. With the North London Derby on the horizon, Ødegård’s absence could prove a significant blow, particularly given Tottenham’s impressive form of late.

Rahee Sterling: The Debutant with a Point to Prove

Rahee Sterling, on the other hand, is champing at the bit to make a big impact. The highly-rated forward has already begun to make waves in the Arsenal dressing room, and Arteta believes he will be a significant addition to the team.

"He has got that intuition that will take him to the top," Arteta said of Sterling. "He knows where the goals are and has that ability to get into the right positions at the right time. I’m sure he’s going to impact the team greatly."

Arteta Secures Three-Year Contract Extension

In a separate piece of news, Mikel Arteta has signed a new three-year contract to remain as Arsenal manager until 2027. The deal is a testament to his impressive work on the sidelines, and the Spaniard is keen to build on the progress he has made in his first season in charge.

"Couldn’t think about a better place to be to develop my career as a player, experience such an amazing football club, the people that I met, the experiences that I had," Arteta said. "Now, as a manager, it has been something beyond and better than what I ever dreamed about."