Arsenal handed fitness boost as long term absentee set to return to training - Reports

Arsenal have received a major boost as captain Martin Odegaard is reportedly closing in on a return to full training following an ankle injury. The Norwegian midfielder has been out of action since September when he suffered ankle ligament damage on international duty.

Odegaard featured for Norway against Austria in a game when he picked up the ankle injury back in September. The 25-year-old has been ruled out since then and has not made a single appearance for the Gunners as he continues his recovery.

A report from Mail Sport indicates that the former Real Madrid prodigy may not be out of action for much longer as he is scheduled to begin training this week. This news will be a source of profound relief for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal staff, seeing as the side has struggled with creativity in the absence of the midfielder.

Martin Odegaard's official date for a return to action is yet to be known or confirmed, as the manager will keep a close eye on his fitness to determine when to re-introduce him to action.

With games against Newcastle United, Inter Milan, and Chelsea to come before November's international break, the Gunners will hope Odegaard returns to action soon.

Arteta's side lost both Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber to injury in their draw against Liverpool on Sunday (October 27), further compounding their injury woes.

With the likes of Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu still sidelined, the manager will be very pleased with the news of Odegaard's imminent return to full fitness.

Returning Arsenal star disappointed after draw with Liverpool

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka was left disappointed after his side's 2-2 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League. The England international featured for the Gunners for the first time since picking up a hamstring injury while on duty with the Three Lions this month.

Saka captained the Gunners in front of their fans at the Emirates Stadium and led by example, scoring his side's first goal after just nine minutes. Liverpool came back and secured a point from the tie, leaving the Englishman with a sense of disappointment at their failure to secure the win.

The winger said (via ESPN):

"We are disappointed. I feel like we didn't show our best selves for 90 minutes and it cost us in the end. We believe we should have won it."

On Sunday, Bukayo Saka scored his 50th goal in the Premier League for the Gunners, becoming the seventh youngest player to accomplish this feat. The Englishman has been in fine form in the league this season, scoring three goals and providing seven assists for Arsenal.