Mikel Arteta confirms huge Martin Odegaard boost but offers cryptic Declan Rice update
Mikel Arteta addressed the media ahead of Arsenal's Premier League match against Chelsea and offered updates on the fitness of midfield duo Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice
by Tom Victor · The MirrorArsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed Martin Odegaard is available for selection against Chelsea on Sunday but will make a late decision on whether to start the captain.
Odegaard made his first team return as a late substitute against Inter Milan on Wednesday, having been absent since picking up an injury on international duty in September. "Everybody in the squad will be fit and available to start the game, then it will be a decision on whether to start the game," Arteta said.
The Arsenall manager's update on Declan Rice was a little less clear, though. The midfielder has been an injury doubt with a toe injury, and Arteta fielded questions about him at his pre-match press conference.
"I have to be very vague on that one because there’s no clarity if he’s going to be fit on the weekend," Arteta said. "He hasn’t trained yet and it’s not clear if he’ll be able to play."
Arsenal have struggled of late with Odegaard sidelined. They have also been without the likes of Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino for part of the period, with the Gunners boss admitting it has been a challenge for them to adjust.
"We have to adapt a lot this season because we have a lot of injuries," he said. "That is something the team is learning and adapting to. A lot of the times it has worked and a lot of times something is missing. The team has the capacity to adjust."
Chelsea have an injury worry of their own, with Cole Palmer facing a race against time to be fit for the match. The England international was hurt during last weekend's draw with Manchester United, and Blues boss Enzo Maresca was non-committal on whether the star man will be ready to return.
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"He's getting better," Maresca told reporters of Palmer. "[Just because] he can walk and have dinner it doesn't mean he is completely fit, but we still have two days to prepare the game. Hopefully we can have him for the session at least on Saturday and then we'll take a decision."
Chelsea and Arsenal sit level on 18 points after 10 matches, with the Blues narrowly ahead on goal difference. Maresca's team are also coming off an 8-0 demolition of FC Noah in Europe, while the Gunners were narrowly beaten in Milan.
Arsenal have also suffered league defeats away at Bournemouth and Newcastle in recent weeks. Arteta has been impressed with his squad's mentality, though, as they look to go into the international break with a win.
"You go in there this morning and think how they are going to feel and they are there," he said. "They are paying attention, they are hungry, they want to work. Their desire is unbelievable. They are a joy to work with."
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