Arsenal given double boost before Man City game

Arsenal have been handed two injury updates ahead of their crunch clash against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League this weekend. Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres’s participation in this vital clash was up in the air.

Arsenal are determined to keep the push on Liverpool in the title race despite losing to the Reds at Anfield Stadium at the end of August. Mikel Arteta’s side are placed 2^nd in the points table, with three points separating the Gunners from Liverpool, who are placed in 1^st place with a spotless record so far.

Arsenal were victorious in the mid-week trip to the Basque Country in Spain where Mikel Arteta hails from and picked up the three points against Athletic Club at the San Mames Stadium. Arsenal’s boss will be delighted heading into the clash, having the services of Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres at his disposal.

What’s the update on Odegaard?

The Arsenal captain had walked off the field in the first half against Nottingham Forest, but the Gunners emerged victorious by 3-0. Odegaard was in visible discomfort after an on-field clash with Jurrien Timber and Morgan Gibbs-White. Mikel Arteta was quick to respond and replaced the midfielder with Ethan Nwaneri who looked sharp.

This was not the first instance this season when Odegaard picked up a knock on his shoulder and limped off the field. The former Real Madrid man had earlier received a knock to the same shoulder during the Gunners’ victory against Leeds United in August. The injury also prevented the Arsenal captain from being involved in proceedings midweek in the UEFA Champions League against Athletic Bilbao.

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Mikel Arteta was quick to address the injury situation and assured that there were no problems with Martin Odegaard. However, Odegaard picking up the same injury twice in the span of a month would certainly be worrying for the Arsenal management.

What’s the update on Gyokeres?

The summer recruit, too, was involved in an on-field collision in the Gunners’ midweek excursion to Spain. Gyokeres clashed with stand-in Arsenal skipper, Gabriel Magalhaes, in the 2-0 win against the Basque opposition.

The medical staff had to intervene after Gyokeres came off worse in the challenge and needed some cleaning up before he continued on in the game after the head clash. Gyokeres took to Instagram and shared a story celebrating his teams victory in the UEFA Champions League.

Mikel Arteta will be aiming for the three points this weekend and a statement win. The Gunners have enjoyed a neat and tidy start to the Premier League season, except for the poor trip to Liverpool.

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