Arsenal handed double injury worry during international break

Arsenal handed double injury worry during international break Arsenal Injury News: Martin Odegaard Scare, Kai Havertz Blow and International Break Round-Up International breaks rarely improve anyone’s mood at Arsenal and this one has followed the usual script. A few goals, a few encouraging displays, then the real concern, fresh injury noise around key players. Mikel Arteta already has a hamstring problem to deal with after Kai Havertz was ruled out, and now Martin Odegaard has given Arsenal another issue to monitor. Odegaard left Norway’s defeat to Portugal with an ankle complaint after a late challenge from Bernardo Silva. He was seen limping out of the stadium and, while the early expectation is that the problem will settle, that is not how any club wants its captain returning from international duty. Odegaard did not dress it up afterwards. “I don’t know what he’s doing. It doesn’t belong on a football field,” he said. He then added, “It’s a shame that people do that, but that’s life.” On the injury itself, he admitted it “definitely won’t feel good tonight”. Photo IMAGO Martin Odegaard concern grows for Arsenal That is the headline issue. Arsenal can absorb many things, but they do not function cleanly without Odegaard’s control and tempo. The hope is simple, swelling eases, pain settles, no further damage. Until then, Arteta waits. There was at least some positive movement elsewhere. Riccardo Calafiori completed 90 minutes for Italy against Belgium and appeared to come through without incident. Jurrien Timber also returned to international action, coming on for the final ten minutes for the Netherlands against Serbia. His workload is clearly being managed with care, and there is regular contact between the Dutch camp and Arsenal’s medical staff. That matters, because Timber’s fitness has required patience for a long time. Viktor Gyokeres finds goals at right time Up front, Viktor Gyokeres delivered what strikers are paid to deliver, the winner in Sweden’s 2-1 victory over Romania. Arsenal will take that. Form matters, confidence matters, and Sweden now need him even more with Alexander Isak back at Liverpool after a thigh injury. Gyokeres should get more chances across the next three matches and Arsenal will watch closely. Christos Tzolis also stayed productive, scoring in the win over Serbia before starting again against Germany. His schedule may yet bring a direct meeting with Timber when Greece face the Netherlands. For Arsenal, the important point is that attacking players are contributing and staying sharp. Arsenal international break offers mixed picture England’s 3-2 defeat to Spain also carried an Arsenal angle. Myles Lewis-Skelly started in midfield and came away with strong praise from Thomas Tuchel. “He made an impression in club football and now through the week,” Tuchel said. “That’s why he got his start. No presents here for no one, also not on his birthday. It was his birthday today. He did very well for Arsenal in this position. I think it suits him a bit better than left-back. He was just very good and had a good match today, so well done. Did everything that was needed. Good performance.” Ezri Konsa and Bukayo Saka also started, while Mikel Merino featured late for Spain. David Raya, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi were unused. In short, some useful minutes, some decent performances, and one obvious problem. Arsenal now need Odegaard’s ankle to calm down quickly. Everything else is secondary. Credit