Martin Odegaard has provided an update on the knee injury that has forced him to miss Arsenal’s last seven matches in all competitions.
The Gunners skippers has endured a difficult start to the new campaign and has made just seven appearances in all competitions.
After sustaining two separate shoulder injuries, Odegaard looked to be back to his best following a man of the match display against Olympiacos in the Champions League at the start of October.
The 27-year-old damaged his knee in Arsenal’s very next game against West Ham and has been recovering ever since.
The Premier League leaders face Tottenham on Sunday in the north London derby, by which time their lead at the top is likely to have been reduced to a solitary point.
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Mikel Arteta will hope to welcome back a clutch of his most attack minded players, including the likes of Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke as well as his chief playmaker.
Despite being unavailable for selection, Odegaard was with his Norway teammates over the course of the international break as they confirmed their place at next summer’s World Cup.
Speaking ahead of Norway’s win over Italy last night, Odegaard was asked about his fitness and sounded cautiously optimistic.
He told TV2: ‘It’s moving forward. The match today came a little too early… But it’s starting to look better, so hopefully I’ll be back soon.
Arteta, meanwhile,is also sweating on the fitness of Gabriel after he was released from international duty with Brazil after suffering a thigh injury during the 2-0 friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium.
Gabriel went down just before the hour mark on Saturday afternoon and received treatment before being substituted.
Brazil issued an update on the Gunners centre-back on Sunday, confirming he would now return to the Premier League leaders for further treatment.
‘Gabriel Magalhaes will not travel with the team for the game against Tunisia. The defender left the field yesterday after feeling pain in the adductor muscle of his right thigh,’ a statement on the Brazilian Football Confederation website read.
‘Arsenal player Gabriel Magalhaes was re-evaluated this Sunday (November 16) and underwent imaging tests that revealed a muscle injury in his right thigh.
‘Therefore, the player will not travel with the team to the match against Tunisia in Lille. No other player will be called up to replace him.’
Gabriel’s absence would be a major blow for the Gunners after a fine start to the season based on a firm defence which has conceded just five goals in 11 Premier League games.