Arsenal’s preparations for their Champions League opener against Athletic Bilbao have been dealt a blow, with Martin Ødegaard emerging as a significant doubt after missing today’s training session at London Colney.
The Norwegian midfielder aggravated a lingering shoulder problem during Saturday’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest and was forced off after just 18 minutes — the second consecutive home match in which he has failed to reach half-time.
Ødegaard had also been substituted early during the match against Leeds last month due to the same issue. On both occasions, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri has been called upon as his replacement.
With the squad set to depart for Spain this afternoon, manager Mikel Arteta faces an anxious wait to determine whether his skipper can feature. Arsenal’s manager will address the media later today from the San Mamés Stadium, where further clarity on Ødegaard’s status is expected.
While Ødegaard’s potential absence is a significant concern, there was a glimmer of positivity on the training pitch in the form of William Saliba. The French centre-back made a surprise return to team training on Friday, just a week after twisting his ankle during the draw at Anfield.
Although he initially signalled to Arteta that he needed more recovery time, Saliba could still be included in the travelling party. However, a starting role remains uncertain.
Should Saliba be deemed unfit to start, 19-year-old Cristhian Mosquera is expected to continue in defence. The Spain under-21 international, signed from Valencia this summer, has impressed in his early outings and brings valuable La Liga experience, including extensive playing time against Bilbao, which could prove vital in such a high-stakes clash.
Meanwhile, Ben White, who was on the bench over the weekend, was not seen in the open section of training. His status remains unclear, adding to Arsenal’s growing list of injury worries. Key attacking trio Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus all remain sidelined, further limiting Arteta’s options ahead of the trip.
As Arsenal aim to make a strong start in Europe, the mounting injury list, particularly the uncertainty around Ødegaard, presents an early test of squad depth. Fans will be hoping for positive updates from Arteta later this evening. Still, for now, the Gunners face the daunting task of taking on Bilbao, possibly without several of their most influential players.
