Martin Odegaard injury latest as Mikel Arteta gives update on five Arsenal players

Mikel Arteta has delivered injury updates on Martin Odegaard and four others ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash against Fulham.

"It will be weeks, no definite date for his return but he is evolving well," he said on Odegaard. "Very unlucky, but he will be back in a few weeks.

"It could be [a return before November international break], but we'll have to see how he progresses, how the knee is healing, how he manages after the next steps in his rehab. So, too early to give an answer.

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There was concern over Martin Zubimendi and Ben White after they were missing from open training on Thursday, but Arteta has confirmed the pair are fine.

On Zubimendi missing out, Arteta said: "Yeah, all the players come from different countries, different amounts of games and minutes played, and we believe that it was the right thing to do. He played two games again, his load has been really high recently and he needs an extra day."

"Yeah, very similar [situation for White]. We are monitoring all the players and give a specific menu to each of them to make sure that they are in the best condition."

Arteta was also on hand to provide fresh updates on Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz with the Gunners' two attackers at different stages of their respective recoveries from knee problems.

"Getting closer as well. He's going to start very soon to start doing some running and stuff and again, let's see how that works," he said on Madueke.

"I mean, very difficult," Arteta replied when asked ifHavertz could surprise everyone and return earlier than expected again. "There's still a lot to do in his rehab. He's really pushing it, we know Kai and that's why we love him so much. But we have to wait and see. I think we are doing a really good work with him again.

"He wants to break every timeline, I'm sure. But as well, we have to protect him and make sure that when he comes back, he's come back for the long term."

Havertz has been out since the opening day victory over Manchester United with a knee problem that required a minor procedure to fix. Madueke, meanwhile, picked up an issue in that same area against Manchester City last month just as Bukayo Saka returned from a hamstring injury.

Despite having been back available for some time, Saka still does not believe he is quite at full match sharpness.

"Obviously I started the season and picked up an injury, which killed me a bit but I'm starting to feel good again," he said after scoring in England's 3-0 win over Wales.

"I'm still not at my sharpest, but I'm starting to feel good again and I've scored in my last three games, so I'm happy with that and want to continue in that way."