Mikel Arteta has been handed a fresh injury blow ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash against Sevilla on Wednesday night. The Gunners welcome the Spanish side to Emirates Stadium knowing a win could ensure their progression to the knockout stages, if other results go their way.
The squad trained at London Colney on Tuesday afternoon but Martin Odegaard was not among the players spotted by football.london. The Gunners captain missed the weekend's 1-0 loss to Newcastle United after failing to be passed fit. The 24-year-old is recovering from a hip injury and hasn't featured since the 3-1 Carabao Cup loss to West Ham United.
Eddie Nketiah was also absent from training. football.london understands the striker is nursing a knock he picked up during the Newcastle defeat. It's believed the knock is not serious and he could still be involved against Sevilla.
Gabriel Jesus, who was excellent in the reverse fixture between the two sides, will not be involved against Sevilla after picking up a hamstring issue. The Brazilian is set to miss a number of weeks, with some reports suggesting he could return in December.
Mikel Arteta was asked about Jesus and Odegaard on Tuesday morning. He said: "Gabby won't be fit, with Martin it is still uncertain, the rest no news so far."
As well as Odegaard, Jesus and Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber also did not train at London Colney. Smith Rowe picked up a knee injury prior to the West Ham United match while Partey sustained a thigh injury in training a couple of weeks ago. Timber, meanwhile, is not expected to return until next year after injuring his ACL in the Gunners first game of the season.
While several first team stars may not be available to Arteta for the game against Sevilla, the former Man City coach is hopeful of a win. Asked how important it is for his side to be victorious on Wednesday, the Spaniard said: "The more you have a chance in football to put it to bed, do it, we're gonna have to do a lot of things right tomorrow and then the right to win it against a really good team which enormous experience in this competition.
"We have to prove it tomorrow in front of our people how excited we are to play that game and what it means for us."
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