Arsenal and Manchester City anxiously await assessments of key players following the latest round of international matches.
Tuesday night saw the last of the Nations League, World Cup Qualifiers and international friendly games, at least until November. This is more of a relief for some as it is for others.
With Manchester City set to host Arsenal the weekend after next, both teams were dealt injury blows this week.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard went down with what looked like a nasty ankle injury during Norway’s match against Austria. The next night, Dutch defender Nathan Ake had to be stretchered off during Holland’s draw with Germany.
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If any team can absorb an injury like that, it’s Manchester City. They still have Stones, Gvardiol, Akanji, Walker, Dias and Lewis to choose from. Ake, who can play center back or left back, is still an important part of that unit, however.
It’s a concerning absence when you consider the upcoming game against Arsenal. Ake has negated Bukayo Saka fantastically the last three times he’s played against him. If he is out, the England winger may finally have some joy against City.
It is still Arsenal who will be more worried, because Martin Odegaard is vital for them, and his injury doesn’t look good. Still images of the incident show his ankle twisting underneath him – they will be lucky if he’s only out for a matter of weeks.
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Odegaard has avoided injury for the past two seasons, so the Gunners don’t have lots of experience playing without him. Before they face the prospect of City, they must first navigate the North London Derby, which looks daunting.
Declan Rice is suspended, Mikel Merino is injured, Riccardo Calafiori is doubtful and Odegaard is definitely out. With the start of the Champions League to contend with as well, it’s a massive period for Arteta. If things don’t go their way, they could face the prospect of being out of the title race already.
