{"id":1741,"date":"2026-04-11T08:16:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T08:16:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=1741"},"modified":"2026-04-11T08:16:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T08:16:22","slug":"odegaard-fitness-or-saka-absence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=1741","title":{"rendered":"Odegaard fitness or Saka absence?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-main\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--post-header--><\/p>\n<div id=\"post-feat-img\" class=\"left relative\" itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-60.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-60-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-60-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-60.webp\"\/><img width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-60.webp\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-60.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-60-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-60-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-60.webp\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"1200\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"675\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--post-feat-text-->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--post-feat-img--><\/p>\n<section class=\"social-sharing-top\">\n<p><span class=\"fb-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-facebook-f\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=Bigger blow for Arsenal: Odegaard fitness or Saka absence? -&amp;url=https:\/\/sixsports.in\/bigger-blow-for-arsenal-odegaard-fitness-or-saka-absence\/', 'twitterShare', 'width=626,height=436'); return false;\" title=\"Share This Post\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"twitter-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-x-twitter\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"whatsapp-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-whatsapp fa-2\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"pinterest-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-pinterest-p\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"email-but\"><i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-2\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Email<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--social-sharing-top--><\/p>\n<div class=\"sx-entity-card\">\n<div class=\"sx-entity-top\">\n<div class=\"sx-entity-logo\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"345\" height=\"350\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"ARSENAL\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/arsenal_logo.avif\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"345\" height=\"350\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/arsenal_logo.avif\" alt=\"ARSENAL\"\/>\n            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"sx-entity-description\">\n<p>            Arsenal is one of England\u2019s most prestigious football clubs, competing in the Premier League and European competitions like the UEFA Champions League. Known for its attacking style, rich history, and passionate fanbase, Arsenal has won numerous league titles and domestic\u2026            <a class=\"sx-entity-readmore\" href=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/team\/arsenal\/\"><br \/>\n                Read More about ARSENAL\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Arsenal face major injury concerns as Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka face fitness issues. Therefore, a huge blow to Arsenal\u2019s squad strength and depth in this crucial part of the season.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-odegaard-injury-makes-arsenal-doubt-their-creativity\">Odegaard injury makes Arsenal doubt their creativity<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/football\/arsenal\/injury-news\/injuries-and-suspensions\/saka-timber-odegaard-trossard-latest-arsenal-injury-suspension-list-vs-bournemouth_595305.html\" id=\"https:\/\/www.sportsmole.co.uk\/football\/arsenal\/injury-news\/injuries-and-suspensions\/saka-timber-odegaard-trossard-latest-arsenal-injury-suspension-list-vs-bournemouth_595305.html\">As per sources<\/a>Arsenal\u2019s front line looks shaky just before facing Bournemouth in the <strong>Premier League<\/strong>. In this case, several main scorers are not fully fit when it matters most. Without them sharp, the team\u2019s usual rhythm might stumble unless things change fast. As a result, leaving Arsenal with a major blow at such a crucial phase of the season. People have started talking that it may also damage Arsenal\u2019s top glory hopes this season.<\/p>\n<p>Out on the pitch lately, Leandro Trossard picked up a knock during latest match in the Champions League. Not quite sure if he\u2019ll play now that he had to leave early. Arteta depends on him when reshuffling the team. He is someone who shows up when games get tight.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-197206\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-53.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-53-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-53-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-53.webp\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-53.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-197206\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-53.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-53-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arsenal-53-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><strong>READ MORE: Arsenal set to beat Liverpool in Diomande race after key talks<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In that same match, Martin Odegaard took an unwanted hit and he is now under watch. Leading Arsenal doesn\u2019t only mean making plays. It also means setting pace and making passes through lines. His presence shifts how the team moves forward. Odegaard is the club captain and his absence will leave the Gunners with leadership issues on the pitch.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, it is still unclear if Bukayo Saka will play. He has been out lately yet hopes are quiet that he might come back soon. Although pushing too fast in recovery could go wrong so his situation must be managed calmly. His absence leaves Arsenal facing tough questions on the right wing. Saka, who has been called the star in the team often makes runs and shapes play with his clever passes. Thus, it is something the <strong>Gunners<\/strong> are currently missing on the pitch.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-recovery-timeline-for-arsenal-s-absentees\">Recovery timeline for Arsenal\u2019s absentees<\/h2>\n<p>Right now, Arsenal face a tough and key stage of the season. They are currently leading in the Premier League. Meanwhile, they also remain strongly active in the UEFA Champions League. In this case, the squad depth and quality is being tested day to day. However, it is becoming a concern when their top players have got injured and made a big blow to the options available. As a result, People have started talking about the recovery timeline for Arsenal\u2019s absentees.<\/p>\n<p>In the case of Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard reports suggest that, \u201c<strong><em>Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard are both major doubts after picking up issues in Europe.<\/em><\/strong>\u201d Thus, indicating serious concerns and questions of their return date. However, sources close to the <strong\/> club indicate that the team will be patient and calm with their recoveries.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber also faces some groin injury issues. Thus, he remains in doubt over his participation in the game against Bournemouth. His versatility was a major asset for the team allowing them to adapt tactically mid game. However, now his absence will leave marks that would be hard to erase.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ NEXT: Arsenal boost: Raya shines as Sporting boss makes bold claim<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As a result, sources close to the club indicate that, \u201c<strong><em>Mikel Arteta is sweating over the fitness of several key players ahead of the Bournemouth clash.<\/em><\/strong>\u201d Thus, indicating the concern Mikel Arteta is having for his key players. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta knows how important the upcoming games are for Arsenal. In this case, he focuses on planning the next few games without their star players. Meanwhile, he still remains keen on having them back on the pitch.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-author-s-opinion\">Author\u2019s Opinion<\/h2>\n<p>Arsenal face a major blow as participation of their key players remain in doubt for Bournemouth game. Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka\u2019s absence might be something the Gunners will be concerned about. They both are the creative engines and leaders on the pitch for the team. As a result, their injury might push Arsenal in a series of questions ahead. Therefore, it will be interesting to see, When will Odegaard and Saka return from injury?<\/p>\n<div class=\"preferred-source-box\" style=\"margin-top:40px;padding:25px;background: #1865b4;border:1px solid #ddd;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:24px;margin-bottom:10px;color:#fff;\">ENJOYED THIS STORY?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;margin-bottom:20px;color:#fff;\">\n<p>                    Add Six Sports as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting\n                <\/p>\n<p>                    <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" style=\"max-width:260px;height:auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goal.com\/img\/google-trusted-source\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.webp\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goal.com\/img\/google-trusted-source\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.webp\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" style=\"max-width:260px;height:auto;\"\/><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"after-article-links\" style=\"margin-top:20px; font-size:14px;\">Follow the latest updates from <strong>Premier League<\/strong>, <strong>The League<\/strong> and<br \/>\n        <strong>Champions League<\/strong>or explore more<br \/>\n        <strong>Football<\/strong> stories, <strong>Football Teams<\/strong> &#038; <strong>All Football Competitions<\/strong> . You can also check <strong>Latest Sports News<\/strong> or visit <strong>Six Sports<\/strong> for more updates.<\/div>\n<div class=\"fe-author-box\" itemprop=\"author\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\">\n<div class=\"fe-author-avatar\">\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cadf56d9862134562914d260c59ebd39ca738c47824352486de975028565aa1d?s=200&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-100 photo\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cadf56d9862134562914d260c59ebd39ca738c47824352486de975028565aa1d?s=100&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cadf56d9862134562914d260c59ebd39ca738c47824352486de975028565aa1d?s=100&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cadf56d9862134562914d260c59ebd39ca738c47824352486de975028565aa1d?s=200&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-100 photo\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" decoding=\"async\"\/>    <\/div>\n<div class=\"fe-author-content\">\n<h2 class=\"fe-author-name\" itemprop=\"name\">\n<p>                Piyush Wankhede<br \/>\n        <\/h2>\n<p class=\"fe-author-bio\" itemprop=\"description\">\n<p>                Piyush Wankhede is a Junior Football Writer at Six Sports, contributing articles focused on football news, match developments, and player performances. As an emerging voice in football journalism, he provides clear and engaging coverage that helps readers stay updated on key events and stories in the sport.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nThrough his work at Six Sports, Piyush delivers concise match reports, player analyses, and feature pieces that highlight trends and narratives shaping modern football. His writing combines attention to detail with accessibility, making it easy for readers to follow football developments.            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mvp-org-wrap\" itemprop=\"publisher\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Organization\">\n<div class=\"mvp-org-logo\" itemprop=\"logo\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"145\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\" src-webp=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png.webp\" class=\"ewww_webp_lazy_load\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"145\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--mvp-org-logo--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Six Sports\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--mvp-org-wrap--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--posts-nav-link--><\/p>\n<div class=\"mentioned-article-block\">\n<h3 class=\"mentioned-title\">Mentioned in this Article<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--comments-button--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--comments-->\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Share Share Share Share Email Arsenal is one of England\u2019s most prestigious football clubs, competing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1742,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1741","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1741"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1741\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}