Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provides injury update on Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of Southampton clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has asserted that both captain Martin Odegaard and defender Oleksandr Zinchenko will miss their team's Premier League clash against Southampton on Saturday (October 5).

At a pre-match press conference, Arteta was asked to shed light on Odegaard and Zinchenko's respective injuries. The Spaniard responded (h/t football.london):

"Alex [will] probably [be fit] after the international break. Martin's [situation] is very difficult... I expected still with the boot and a lot of things but he's working so hard and he's pushing."

Odegaard, 25, has been out of first-team action with a serious ankle problem since past month's international break. He has missed six games across all competitions due to his recent injury after starting his team's opening three league games earlier this August.

Zinchenko, on the other hand, is currently recovering from a calf issue after picking up the injury in September's international break. The 27-year-old left-back has also missed six total games for Arsenal this term.

Asked about the Gunners coping without Odegaard, Arteta replied:

"We had to be different. I think the impact that Martin has in everything that we do, it's too difficult with one player. We tried to do it by playing in different spaces. Maybe it took a game or two but we found a different way."

Chris Sutton offers prediction for upcoming Arsenal-Southampton Premier League tie

In his column for BBC, ex-Chelsea striker Chris Sutton backed Arsenal to record a 3-0 Premier League win over Southampton at Emirates Stadium this weekend. He wrote:

"Arsenal are so adaptable and know how to win any game, something you cannot say about Southampton at the moment. I was a bit worried to see Saints boss Russell Martin call his players out publicly after their [recent 3-1 Premier League] defeat by Bournemouth, because that never bodes well."

Revealing why the Gunners will emerge victorious, Sutton concluded:

"I have lots of admiration for Russell, who sticks to his principles about how he wants his team to play, but Arsenal are so streetwise and ruthless, this could turn into a tough afternoon for them. The Gunners' defence is so strong, they will keep a clean sheet – I am expecting everyone to go for a 3-0 win here, the readers included!"

The Gunners are third in the 2024-25 Premier League table with 14 points from six games, while Southampton are 19th with just a point.

Mikel Arteta's side are yet to lose in nine total matches this campaign.