Big boost for Arsenal as £30m injured star could return for Man City game

Arsenal have been handed a timely boost ahead of the Premier League game against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium next month.

The Gunners suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss to Man City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium last weekend.

They lacked creativity in the final third with Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard on the sidelines.

Eze has been ruled out for four to six weeks with a calf injury, as per BBC Sport.

The playmaker looks poised to miss the league clash against the Cityzens on the road on April 19.

However, there is good news on Odegaard (BBC Sport) whose impending return should ease the absence of Eze in the number 10 position.

Odegaard was spotted in training in the lead-up to the League Cup final on Sunday.

The Gunners captain was not deemed fit to make the squad due to a knee injury, but there is hope he will be ready to play after the international break.

Odegaard’s return is a huge boost for Arsenal

The Norwegian has endured an injury-plagued campaign with the Gunners. He has suffered a few freak injuries, much to the frustration of the faithful.

Odegaard has received criticism from some fans for his performances this term, but he was in relatively good form before the untimely knock at Brentford.

The 27-year-old has six goal contributions in his last nine league matches for the Gunners.

The £30 million signing did make a lively cameo against Tottenham Hotspur after the injury at Brentford, but has not been comfortable to play since.

Based on the latest update, Odegaard could return when the Gunners take on Southampton on the road in the FA Cup quarter-final in early April.

This will be followed by a double-legged Champions League quarter-final tie against Sporting CP, with a home league game versus Bournemouth sandwiched between.

After this, the Gunners will be in action against the Cityzens at the Etihad.

Arsenal have a nine-point lead at the top of the league over Man City, who have a game in hand.

The London giants could extend their advantage before April 19 if they beat Bournemouth, given Man City have a tougher assignment at Chelsea.

Eze is unlikely to feature in the crunch encounter in Manchester, but Odegaard could be fit and firing for the Gunners before facing Pep Guardiola’s side.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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