Two Arsenal stars are "pushing" to return from injuries vs Southampton
Arsenal are scheduled to face Southampton at St Mary’s in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
Ahead of the game, the club could be without the services of Noni Madueke, who picked up a knee injury during an international friendly for England against Uruguay.
However, there is some good news on the injury front. Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber were spotted in training before the Carabao Cup final after respective injuries.
The pair were deemed not fit enough to make the matchday squad but could be available this weekend.
HandofArsenal, who exclusively broke the Cristhian Mosquera story last summer, has now revealed that Odegaard is ‘pushing’ to be back against Southampton. Manager Mikel Arteta will make a final call.
Similarly, Timber is aiming to return against the high-flying Championship outfit. We should get a further update on the first-team duo during the pre-match press conference later this week.
Odegaard & Timber returns would be a huge boost
Arsenal lacked creativity from the attacking midfield role in the Carabao Cup final. Eberechi Eze picked up a calf injury in the lead-up to the game and has been ruled out for weeks.
Kai Havertz got the nod as the number 10. The German squandered a big scoring chance early on, but he was barely involved thereafter until his substitution after the hour mark.
Havertz has primarily played as a striker for the Gunners. He has looked rusty since his return from a hamstring injury, and could feature from the bench if Odegaard is fit to start again.
Odegaard has had plenty of short-term injuries during the ongoing season, but he has been in good form lately with six goal contributions in his last nine league appearances.
The Norwegian’s return would provide some much-needed creativity. Odegaard’s comeback could bring the best out of Bukayo Saka, as the captain often links up with the Englishman on the right flank.
Meanwhile, Timber has been an undisputed starter at right-back ahead of Ben White when fully fit. His better defensive attributes have made him the manager’s regular pick.
The Dutchman generally possesses exceptional fitness levels. We won’t be surprised if the 24-year-old is reinstated straight into the starting XI ahead of White against the Saints.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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