Mikel Arteta is likely to be able to select Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard against Brentford (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have received a major fitness boost ahead of Saturday’s return to Premier League action against Brentford.
The Gunners headed into the international break on the back of a routine home win over Burnley which ensured the gap to leaders Manchester City remained just a solitary point.
Mikel Arteta’s side face another stiff test of their title credentials this weekend, however, when they travel across London to the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Bees had won three games in succession before their 3-0 defeat at Anfield where the scoreline didn’t do justice to another impressive performance by Thomas Frank’s side who have only lost once at home in the league this season.
Arsenal’s cause will at least be boosted by the likely return of skipper Martin Odegaard who was spotted back in first team training on Tuesday.
Martin Odegaard was spotted back in Arsenal training on Tuesday after missing the last three games (Picture: Getty)
The club captain missed the last three games through a combination of a hip injury and latterly concussion, before skipping international duty with Norway.
Given the continued absence of Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe, plus the suspension of Fabio Vieira, who was given a straight red card against Burnley, Odegaard’s availability will represent a major boost to Arteta.
Speaking before the international break, Arteta was hopeful he would have his main creative spark back for the trip to Brentford on Saturday.
‘With Martin, again he tried his best to be available but it wasn’t possible. We need players back because at the moment we are really struggling.’
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Speaking ahead of last Sunday’s clash with Scotland, meanwhile, Norway boss Stale Solbakken revealed he had spoken to Odegaard, confident the midfielder is nearing full fitness.
‘I’ve just come from a 45-minute talk with Martin,’ Solbakken told a press conference. ‘He is getting better and better and gradually stepping up. It has been more or less three weeks without any special training, so it is important to take things step by step.
‘Both he and Arsenal probably hope that he is available for the Brentford match.’
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A huge boost for the Gunners ahead of a big test.