Mikel Arteta has offered a new injury update on Arsenal duo Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori.
Gunners captain Odegaard has been out since the start of last month after injuring his ankle playing for Norway in the Nations League.
The midfielder has been progressing well since then and Arteta recently expressed optimism that he will be back in action before next month’s international break.
Arsenal have some big games coming up before then, including three away matches in nine days when they head to Newcastle, Inter Milan and Chelsea.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup last-16 tie away at Championship side Preston, Arteta said of Odegaard: “He’s been on the grass for a few weeks, but there is still a few boxes to tick.
“How fast we can do that last stage of the rehab is a question we’ll have to answer once we have players around him and he starts competing with the team. He hasn’t done that yet.
“Hopefully yes [Odegaard will be back before the November international break], but we’ll have to see how that stage goes.”
Odegaard gave a positive update on his fitness last weekend before Arsenal took on Premier League title rivals Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
Writing in his programme notes, Odegaard said: “I’ve been out for a few weeks now, and have been working hard to get back as soon as possible.
“As I said in my notes on Tuesday, I feel like it’s close now, but although I haven’t been involved in the games lately, I feel I’ve still been able to use that time pretty well too.
“To be honest my days haven’t been much different to before. I am still at the training ground every day, and they are long days as well.
“I’m usually pretty tired afterwards because I’ve been doing a lot of work with the great medical and fitness team we have, and I’ve spent a lot of time in the gym as well.
“I’ve wanted to stay involved with what’s happening too, so I’ve been going to the preparation meetings and have been closely involved.
“But obviously match days have been different, there’s been less traveling so I’ve been able to spend more time at home, getting important rest periods, which has been good.
“Hopefully I can come out of this period fresher and stronger and ready for the rest of the season. That’s the aim now, look at the positives and use this time in a good way. When I’m back I’m going to be feeling pretty good, I’m sure.”
The news was not so positive on Arsenal defender Calafiori, who missed the Liverpool game having been forced out of the preceding Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk after twisting his right knee in the second half.
The Italian international has since undergone tests and when asked for another update on his fitness on Tuesday, Arteta said: “He will be out for a few weeks I would say.”
