Arsenal handed Atalanta boost as extent of Martin Odegaard injury remains uncertain

Mikel Arteta has been handed an injury boost before Arsenal take on Atalanta (Image: Getty)

Mikel Arteta has received a significant injury boost ahead of Arsenal's Champions League showdown with Atalanta on Thursday night.

The Gunners are set to jet off to Italy on Wednesday afternoon, following a training session at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

Riccardo Calafiori, who missed the north London Derby victory due to a calf injury sustained while on international duty, was spotted participating in the open training session, as reported by football.london.

Trending window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20240917.min.js"

Bukayo Saka also took part in the training session, despite limping off against Tottenham on Sunday. It is believed that the Englishman was merely suffering from cramp.

function loadOvpScript(){let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=114291&vp_content=plembed3e7arguyxmsj&cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&playerApiId=v114291');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)} window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v114291"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript() ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript() ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)})

However, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino were not seen training with their team-mates in north London as they continue to recover from ankle and shoulder injuries respectively. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu were also absent from the training session.

Kieran Tierney, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury incurred at the Euros, was also missing.

SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

With five first team stars out, several youngsters stepped in to fill the ranks. Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who have regularly trained with the first team this season, were present again, along with Zane Monlouis, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Josh Robinson.

Arsenal will play eight group stage matches in the Champions League this season, with the top eight teams advancing directly to the knockout stages. Following their match against Atalanta, they will host PSG at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners' schedule also includes fixtures against Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan, Sporting CP, Monaco, Dinamo Zagreb and Girona.

Arsenal handed Atalanta boost as extent of Martin Odegaard injury remains uncertain

Arsenal handed Atalanta boost as extent of Martin Odegaard injury remains uncertain

Arsenal handed Atalanta boost as extent of Martin Odegaard injury remains uncertain

Arsenal handed Atalanta boost as extent of Martin Odegaard injury remains uncertain

Arsenal handed Atalanta boost as extent of Martin Odegaard injury remains uncertain