Mikel Merino has made his feelings clear about Martin Ødegaard’s return to full fitness, just as the Arsenal captain is on the verge of a comeback after missing seven weeks due to an ankle injury. Ødegaard, who suffered the setback while on international duty with Norway, has been absent from the Gunners’ lineup but has now returned to first-team training, offering a significant boost for Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Ødegaard Returns to Training
In his pre-match press conference, Arteta expressed his delight at Ødegaard’s recovery, revealing that the 25-year-old participated in a full training session on Monday. “The positive news is that Martin is great to have him back,” said Arteta. “He’s trained with us for the first time, and he felt good. He’s a bit earlier than we expected, but he wanted to be with the team, so we’ll decide tomorrow whether to use him or not. But at least it’s a big step that he has traveled with us and is part of the team.”
Arteta suggested that Ødegaard may not play a major role in the upcoming match, but his return has lifted morale. The Gunners have missed his creative spark during his absence, with several players, including Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling, struggling to fill his shoes in the playmaking role.
Merino’s Support for Ødegaard
Mikel Merino, who has been a key figure in Arsenal’s midfield since his £31.6 million summer arrival from Real Sociedad, was equally thrilled to see Ødegaard back on the training pitch. On Instagram, Merino shared a post of himself with Ødegaard, captioning it: “Back! @odegaard.98,” with both players smiling as Ødegaard jumped on his back. Merino, who scored his first goal for the club in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Liverpool, has frequently operated in more advanced midfield positions, and he will likely benefit from Ødegaard’s return to the lineup.
The Dream Midfield Trio
With Ødegaard’s imminent return, Arteta now has the opportunity to experiment with his ideal midfield setup. The Gunners’ manager has often rotated formations and personnel during Ødegaard’s absence, but the chance to field a midfield trio of Ødegaard, Merino, and record signing Declan Rice could prove to be a game-changer.
This midfield combination would offer both creativity and stability, with Rice providing a defensive shield and the duo of Ødegaard and Merino offering technical brilliance in more advanced roles. Arteta will be keen to see how the trio functions together, especially since Rice has had to play in defensive midfield due to injuries elsewhere in the squad.
A Midfield for the Future
The return of Ødegaard opens up several tactical possibilities for Arteta, particularly in controlling games against teams they expect to dominate. The presence of Jorginho or Thomas Partey could also offer additional depth, particularly in challenging away fixtures. However, Arteta’s long-term vision is likely to feature Merino, Ødegaard, and Rice as the core of his midfield, and that prospect is now on the horizon.
With Ødegaard’s return, Arsenal are set to strengthen their midfield and, hopefully, rediscover the form that had seen them rise to the top of the Premier League earlier in the season. The Gunners will now look to their star trio to help power them through the rest of the campaign.
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