Mikel Arteta Provides Injury Update on Odegaard and Addresses Gyokeres' Goal Drought

Mikel Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta addressed the press ahead of Saturday's match against Fulham, providing an update on Martin Odegaard's injury.

Mikel Arteta addresses concerns over Odegaard's injury and Gyokeres' goal drought ahead of Arsenal's match against Fulham...

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta provided a worrying update on Martin Odegaard's injury status ahead of Saturday's match against at . Odegaard, who suffered a knee injury before the international break, is expected to be out for a few weeks, leaving a significant void in Arsenal's midfield.

The Gunners are looking to extend their lead at the top of the table and will be hoping to secure a win against Fulham. Arsenal have a strong record against teams from London, with only one defeat in their last 18 matches. However, they know they need more than a draw to keep their title rivals at bay.

Former Arsenal players and have predicted a 2-0 win for Arsenal against Fulham. Sutton believes Arsenal look “unstoppable” and that no team can catch them if they keep playing like this. Merson agrees, stating that Arsenal will “power their way to the title” due to their squad depth.

Odegaard Out for Weeks, Arteta Provides Injury Update

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Martin Odegaard will be out for weeks after suffering a knee injury. The Norwegian midfielder's absence will be a significant blow to Arsenal's midfield. Arteta also provided updates on other injured players, including loanee , who is progressing well in his rehab and will start running soon, and , who is pushing hard in his recovery.

Madueke's return is on track, with the winger set to start running drills soon. Havertz is also making good progress, pushing to break timelines in his rehab. Arteta praised Havertz's work ethic, saying he's “really pushing it” and that the team is “doing good work” with him. The injury updates come ahead of Arsenal's match against Fulham, with Odegaard's absence likely to be a significant concern for the Gunners.

“(Noni) Madueke - Getting closer as well, he will start to do some running very soon.

“(Kai) Havertz - Again, very difficult, a lot to do in his rehab, and he's really pushing it. We are doing good work with him again. He wants to break every timeline.

“Odegaard - It will be weeks, no definite date for his return, but he is evolving well. Very unlucky, but he will be back in a few weeks.

“I think he's in a really good place. He does everything he possibly can to prevent injuries. The ones he had are very difficult to prevent, so that takes some weight off.

“When you don't have an option, you adapt.”

Rice's Evolution Under Arteta

's role has undergone a significant transformation this season, with Mikel Arteta adjusting his position to give him more freedom to contribute to the team's attack. Rice has thrived in his new role, showcasing his versatility as a box-to-box midfielder. He believes the change has allowed him to utilize his skills more effectively, and his performances on the pitch seem to validate this approach.

The England midfielder's impressive form has drawn praise from former Arsenal captain , who sees Rice as a potential leader for the team. Vieira notes that Rice has the attributes of a top midfielder, citing his mobility, technical ability, and leadership qualities.

With his newfound freedom, Rice has become a key player for Arsenal, scoring crucial goals and providing assists. His partnership with other midfielders, such as for England, has also been instrumental in the team's success.

“I think he is adapting to the qualities that we have, we have certain chemistries and certain relationships that you notice.

“With eight new players in the squad, different things emerge. We are trying to maximise his qualities and relationship with others to give the team the best capacity to perform.”

What to Expect from Piero Hincapie

Piero Hincapie, Arsenal's new signing from , is expected to bring a physical presence and versatility to the team's defense. The 23-year-old Ecuadorian defender can play both center-back and left-back, offering flexibility to manager Mikel Arteta.

“Piero Hincapie has returned to training this week, much to the excitement of Arsenal fans who want to see him make his first start. Arteta explained what fans can expect from the young defender.

“Well, what you're going to see is aggression and determination. This is a player who goes full gas into every single action, especially defending. This is a player who is very clean on the ball, someone who wants to penetrate with the ball.”

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Key Strengths

Physicality: Hincapie's height (1.84m) and pace make him a strong candidate for aerial battles and tracking down opponents.

Leadership: He has experience captaining his country and has shown leadership qualities on the pitch.

Ball-playing ability: Hincapie likes carrying the ball forward and has been praised for his passing range.

Tactical flexibility: He can play in a back three or four, offering Arsenal's defense more options.

Expectations

Immediate impact: Hincapie is expected to make an impact soon after his return from injury, with Arteta confirming he'll be available after the international break.

Competition for places: With a strong defensive lineup already in place, Hincapie will likely face competition for starting spots.

Growth potential: At just 23, Hincapie has room to develop and improve, making him a valuable asset for Arsenal's future.

Arteta Addresses Concerns Over Gyokeres' Goal Drought

Mikel Arteta has spoken about ' ongoing , emphasizing that the striker's contributions go beyond just scoring goals. Despite Gyokeres' impressive record at , where he scored 97 goals in 102 games, he has struggled to replicate this form in the Premier League, managing only three goals in 10 appearances for Arsenal.

Arteta highlighted Gyokeres' role in creating space and opportunities for his teammates, saying, “He brings so much to the team... He creates environment and space and solutions to a lot of the players around him.” The manager also praised Gyokeres' work ethic and mentality, noting that he expects his players to handle pressure and adversity.

Gyokeres has now gone eight games without scoring, but Arteta remains confident that his form will turn around, stating, “I want much more of the same of what he's doing. Once we have those opportunities, put them in. I'm sure it's going to happen.”

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Mikel Arteta Provides Injury Update on Odegaard and Addresses Gyokeres' Goal Drought