Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was quintessentially tight-lipped when asked whether Martin Odegaard could feature in Sunday's North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners captain sustained what appeared to be a nasty ankle sprain in Norway's Nations League win over Austria earlier this week, and he was seen on crutches as he boarded a flight back to the UK.
While the midfielder is not believed to have suffered any fracture, Norway's team doctor has admitted that Odegaard could take around three weeks to recover from his sprain, which would rule him out of the derby and upcoming matches with Atalanta BC in the Champions League and Manchester City in the top flight.
Arteta has always been one to keep his cards close to his chest when it comes to injury news, especially before a blockbuster game, and the 42-year-old adopted a similar approach in Friday's press conference.
Asked whether Odegaard could be involved against Tottenham, the Spaniard replied: "We need some more tests so let's see what happens in the next day or so, this afternoon probably, and see what happens with the extent of the injury and how quickly we can get him back.
Arteta refuses to rule "super positive" Odegaard out of North London derby
© Imago
"He is super positive about everything, we know Martin, he wants to be there every single day, but we have to wait and see. With 48 hours until the game, players could always become available, but let's see what happens."
While Arteta did not give anything away regarding Odegaard's fitness, the Spaniard confirmed that Gabriel Jesus - who has missed Arsenal's last two games with a groin injury - was back in training and is on course to be fit for Sunday's game.
"Gabby was out [training]. He has got another session tomorrow. If everything goes well he will be ready to be selected in the squad, which is great news for us," Arteta replied.
However, the Arsenal boss is unsure if the freak calf injury that Riccardo Calafiori sustained on Italy duty will settle down in time, adding: "It's another one that we have to wait for another day or so."
Mikel Merino (shoulder), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) complete Arsenal's list of injury-related absentees for the derby, while Declan Rice is suspended after his controversial sending-off against Brighton & Hove Albion.
What could Arsenal's midfield look like against Tottenham?
© Reuters
Even when it is seemingly set in stone that Odegaard will not be available for the North London derby, Arteta still refused to give too much away, but it would be a huge surprise to see the Scandinavian involved.
Jesus's anticipated return will offer the Spaniard a straightforward solution, though, as if the Brazilian is given the green light to start up front, Kai Havertz could drop back into midfield to play the Odegaard role.
Arteta's only other like-for-like replacement in the number 10 position is 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, and the Spaniard stressed in his press conference that he would have no qualms about throwing in a young player if they are ready.
However, the teenager has only ever made two appearances in the top flight, - one at a record-breaking 15 years and 181 days old - and he should not be expected to make his first start in the competition away to Tottenham.
As a result, Havertz will surely be tasked with number 10 duties in a three-man engine room with Thomas Partey and Jorginho, the latter of whom should replace the banned Rice.
Ben Knapton
