Arsenal set for huge fitness boost ahead of North London Derby with Tottenham

Arsenal are set for a huge injury boost ahead of next weekend’s North London Derby.

The Gunners are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League as things stand, but they face a huge test straight after the international break.

Arsenal face Tottenham next weekend, and Antonio Conte’s men have been almost as good this season, sitting just one point behind in third place.

It will be a huge test for Mikel Arteta’s men, and they will be praying they get everyone back fit and unscathed from the international break.

And on that front, there is good news, with key star Martin Odegaard returning to action while representing his country.

The Gunners skipper missed the win over Brentford before the break, but he still linked up with Norway for the internationals.

Odegaard is in the starting lineup for Norway’s clash with Slovenia this evening in the Nations League.

The clash will be the midfielder’s first outing since he picked up his injury during Arsenal training.

It comes after Norway boss Ståle Solbakken promised to take care of Odegaard during the international period, previously telling TV2: “We are in regular dialogue with him and Arteta and Arsenal’s health sector, as it is called in Danish. Nothing has been decided there, so there is still hope.

“They are the ones who have had ‘hands on him’ up until now, and they are in dialogue. He’s not doing well now. Now it’s a matter of getting a final decision on whether he can be in both or one game. We’ll certainly see him in Norway, either as a player or a ‘fourth coach’. It means a lot to have him.”

Odegaard has since returned, and that is great news for Arsenal ahead of the big derby next week, as long as he can stay fit through the game.

And Norway also play on Tuesday, facing Serbia, giving Arsenal another 90 minutes they may have to sweat through.