Arsenal are set to begin their Champions League campaign against Athletic Club without two of their biggest names, captain Martin Ødegaard and forward Bukayo Saka.
Ødegaard, who was forced off just 17 minutes into Saturday’s Premier League win over Nottingham Forest after landing awkwardly on his right shoulder, did not take part in training on Monday. Saka was also absent as he continues to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained in the victory over Leeds on August 23.
The England international has already missed Arsenal’s last two matches, with manager Mikel Arteta insisting last week that the winger is “trying to get back as quickly as possible.”
There is better news regarding William Saliba, who missed the Forest match but has returned to training at London Colney and is expected to feature against the Basque side. However, defender Ben White was also missing from Monday’s session due to a minor fitness concern.
Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde acknowledged the scale of the challenge his team faces in London, describing Arsenal as “one of the favourites to win the Champions League thanks to their technical and tactical ability, and the winning spirit Arteta has instilled in them.”
“It’s the start of the Champions League and we’re facing a top-level opponent,” Valverde said. “We have to be careful and take our chances, because Arsenal won’t be forgiving.”
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Comments are closed.