‘Good News’: Injured Arsenal star ‘first out’ at training in boost ahead of Fulham

Arsenal look to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table with another three points against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening.

The top flight returns this weekend following the two-week international break. The Gunners make the trip to Craven Cottage on the back of league victories over Newcastle United and West Ham.

The Cottage has, however, been somewhat of a bogey ground for Mikel Arteta in the last two seasons. Fulham took a point off the Gunners in a dramatic clash last term and came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 the campaign prior to that.

Arsenal handed injury boost ahead of Fulham

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will go into the match without captain Martin Odegaard with the midfielder set to be sidelined until after the next international break in November. Either Eberechi Eze or Mikel Merino are expected to step into the centre of the park having both hit the back of the net for their countries over the break.

While the absence of Odegaard is a setback, Arsenal could also be handed an injury boost ahead of the meeting with Fulham. Sky Sports were at the training ground on Thursday morning and had an eye on who was involved in preparations for the north London outfit.

Piero Hincapie was reportedly ‘one of the first ones out to training’ alongside fellow summer signing Christian Norgaard. The 23-year-old made a Deadline Day move to the Emirates Stadium from Bayer Leverkusen on a £45 million deal but has made just one appearance for the club.

The defender played just one minute from the bench in the Champions League against Athletic Bilbao in September but has been absent from every matchday squad since due to a groin problem. Hincapie was not named in the Ecuador squad for friendlies against USA and Mexico.

Arteta had been hopeful that the defender would return after the international break and, if the player’s enthusiasm and involvement at training is anything to go by, that looks to be the case.

Christian Norgaard hoping for more Arsenal minutes

Hincapie was first out to training alongside Norgaard, who will also be hoping for increased minutes with the absence of Odegaard. Arsenal signed the Denmark midfielder from Brentford for £15 million in the summer.

Norgaard has struggled with injury this term and had his minutes managed, his only appearances coming against Athletic Bilbao and Port Vale. The midfielder played 90 minutes for Denmark this week and, speaking after the game, he said: “It’s also important for me to get these minutes to show the club that I can get through these games.

“I think now, considering how few minutes I’ve played with Arsenal, there were no flaws, no cramps or anything. Hopefully the coach is at home watching to see that I can handle it physically.”

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