Arsenal news: Martin Odegaard makes Norway injury call as Mikel Merino issues perfect demand

Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard will enjoy some rest after Norway chose not to rush him back from injury as Mikel Merino admits there is no room for error in the Premier League

Arsenal lost more ground in the Premier League title race and will have to wait nearly two weeks before addressing the nine-point gap to the top.

The Gunners' winless run was extended at Chelsea with the international break coming into affect. Mikel Arteta is beginning to welcome back a fully fit squad ahead of the hectic winter period as Arsenal prepare for high-flying Nottingham Forest next time out.

Martin Odegaard played in his first Premier League outing in several months at the weekend but a number of the squad have now headed off on international duty for the final time in 2024.

Here's the latest from the Emirates.

Odegaard dodges Norway duty

Odegaard will not play for Norway during the international break having only just recovered from injury. The playmaker has spent weeks on the sideline due to an ankle problem and his absence has hampered the Gunners, who have missed their captain's leadership and creative influence in the final third.

Odegaard returned in the dying moments of their loss at Inter Milan less than a week ago and then started in Sunday's draw with Chelsea.

Norway manager Stale Solbakken was keen to not push his captain too far, too soon. He travelled to join up with his compatriots but following assessment from Norway’s medical team the decision has been made that he won’t play any part, reports the Athletic.

The Arsenal star said: “After discussions with the medical staff at the national team, we have unfortunately come to the conclusion that the situation is not good enough to play these games.

Merino's challenge

Mikel Merino has laid down the challenge to Arsenal’s stars by admitting: “We have to win every game.” The Gunners are clinging on to their title hopes after dropping more points - leaving them with little margin for error less than a third of the way into the campaign.

But Merino, a summer signing, insists the outlook remains positive in the dressing room and the squad is embracing the pressure despite taking only two points from their past four Premier League outings. Quizzed on whether Arsenal have to win next time out he said: “That’s obvious but we don’t have to look at the negatives. We have to look at the positives.

“We have to look at ourselves, at how we want to perform, and not start thinking about what is going to happen if we lose. That’s adding extra pressure. We know we have to win every game. We know that."

Young trio feature for England

Ethan Nwaneri will be among several young stars playing for England's U19s as they continue their attempts to qualify for the Euros. The Arsenal teenager has become increasingly regular in the first-team picture and will now turn his international to international matters.

Young Lions trio Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Tommy Setford are among those representing Arsenal that will head to Bulgaria for games against Lithuania, Bulgaria and Belgium. Lewis-Skelly too has begun to enjoy exposure, largely down to injuries in the backline.

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