Martin Odegaard will play at Newcastle on Saturday (Picture: Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta confirmed Martin Odegaard is fit to start for Arsenal against Newcastle on Saturday, but Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe are both out for weeks to come.
Odegaard has been rested in recent games, an unused substitute in the 5-0 win over Sheffield United in the last Premier League outing, then coming off the bench against West Ham in midweek in the Carabao Cup.
The Gunners face a tricky trip to Newcastle on Saturday evening and Arteta says the Norwegian is ready to go from the start after managing his minutes in recent matches.
‘Yeah we have tried to offload him a little bit because he had a little issue that he was dealing with,’ the Spaniard told a press conference on Friday.
‘He’s done much better the last few days, we gave him a few minutes against West Ham, it was good to see and his contribution was really good. He will train today, he’s fine and he will be ready.’
It is less good news about Smith Rowe and Jesus, though, who are both set for a significant period on the sidelines.
The Englishman has a knee problem and the Brazilian a thigh issue, and neither will be back in the coming days.
On Smith Rowe, Arteta said: ‘Nothing has changed, [Smith Rowe] will be out for weeks. How many will be determined by how he progresses in the first few weeks especially.
‘Big blow because he was getting some momentum and some minutes, unfortunately he is going to be out again.’
On whether Jesus could be back before the next international break, he added: ‘I cannot guarantee that. I said it will be weeks.’
Thomas Partey also remains sidelined, as does Jurrien Timber who is expected to miss the majority of the season.
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