Latest Arsenal injury news as five miss Tottenham with Calafiori and Odegaard update expected

Arsenal entered the first international break of the season with several selection issues ahead of the North London Derby and will end it with many more for Mikel Arteta. Having already been ready for the absence of Declan Rice and Mikel Merino due to suspension and injury, things only got worse.

Martin Odegaard’s second-half collapse for Norway in their Nations League clash against Austria has left two of the three first-choice midfielders unavailable for Sunday’s trip to Tottenham. Arsenal are now likely to be without Odegaard for at least the rest of September and into October.

According to Norway team doctor Ola Sand, who initially described Monday’s injury as a ‘small ankle sprain’, it is likely to be almost a month out for Odegaard. The 25-year-old is not thought to have broken any bones though.

Had that been the case, “we are talking about being out of action for six weeks plus,” Sand explained. “What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle. Martin now writes that Arsenal wants to take over all communications after they have taken an MRI and are doing the further investigations.”

Norway head coach Stale Solbakken also isn’t expecting to have him for the next international break, which comes in seven matches time for Arsenal. “It is difficult for us if we are going to play without Martin, considering that it is Slovenia at home and Austria away,” he said. “He is probably the one who has been the least injured of those who are completely bombproof in the eleven under me.

“Martin has been present the whole time. Now we get into a new situation, if that happens. But I don’t know anything more. It can take longer and it can go faster. It is individual, too. It’s not quite overnight with three weeks. Then it’s not the worst ankle injury on earth. Then there is hope.”

Odegaard was seen using crutches on Tuesday morning in Norway as he boarded a flight back to England.

Arsenal then took over the assessment, with MRI scans being planned.

Unfortunately for Arteta, it is far from the only problem he has in his squad. Merino was already sidelined for at least six weeks after fracturing his shoulder in his first training session, which has contributed to the midfield puzzle.

With those two out, Arteta may well turn to Kai Havertz in midfield to accommodate. That may well see Gabriel Jesus pushed into the striker spot, but will only be possible if the Brazilian is fit. He has played just five minutes so far this season and unsurprisingly had no role for his country during the break.

Arsenal hoped for him to be back for upcoming games but may well not be able to ease him into action as would have been ideal. His groin injury has been a problem in the early weeks of the campaign.

Jesus was joined back at the Sobha Realty Training Complex by Riccardo Calafiori after just a matter of days. The Italian returned to north London early after also picking up an injury.

He suffered a knock to his calf following a freak collision against France. Calafiori has been working towards an immediate return for Arsenal though and could be involved against Tottenham.

Despite concerns before the break, Jurrien Timber played for the Netherlands in both Nations League matches, getting 70 minutes in the tank. Kieran Tierney is not in a position to get back to the pitch yet though. Takehiro Tomiyasu is also still weeks away from a return due to another knee injury.

With Rice’s suspension taken into consideration, Arsenal will definitely be without five players against Tottenham. Depending on Jesus and Calafiori’s readiness, it could be up to seven.