Arsenal handed major boost in new seven-man injury update

Odegaard fumed over the tackle that saw him kicked in the back of the left ankle after playing the ball, immediately confronting Silva and seen shouting “f**k you” repeatedly at the former Manchester City star.Afterwards, an angry Odegaard said the challenge “doesn't belong on a football field” as he was then seen limping away from the stadium in Oslo.The 27-year-old said he hoped he would not have to withdraw from the Norway squad as a result ahead of Thursday’s trip to Wales and the return fixture against Portugal on Sunday.Various updates were forthcoming from Norway head coach Stale Solbakken, team manager Brede Hangeland and team doctor Ola Sand, with improvement reported on Wednesday after a scan and an X-ray had revealed no serious damage.Captain fantastic: Martin Odegaard warms up before Norway face Wales in the Nations LeaguePAArsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping that his influential skipper gets through the contest unscathed, with Odegaard having been in excellent form so far this season - scoring four goals in eight appearances across all competitions and starting all but one match.Odegaard was hampered by injury issues during Arsenal’s title-winning campaign last term, bothered by a recurring shoulder issue before damaging knee ligaments as he started only 16 of their 38 Premier League games in total.Read MoreIn other Arsenal injury news, French outlet L’Equipe have reported that key defender Saliba is making good progress in his recovery from a lingering back injury that was exacerbated during the World Cup but did not require surgery.The report claimed that Saliba is now back running following a latest X-ray and is aiming to return around November, in what would be a major boost for Arteta.It remains to be seen how long Kai Havertz will miss after injuring his hamstring playing for Germany against the Netherlands last week, while Arsenal are expected to have Declan Rice fit for their Premier League return against Leeds next weekend after he pulled out of the England squad at the start of the extended three-week break.Ezri Konsa could be involved for England against Croatia on Saturday after being an unused substitute in the win over the Czech Republic following a knock suffered against Spain, while fellow defenders Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera reportedly look set to be fit to face Leeds along with Rice, according to football.london.Piero Hincapie, meanwhile, is said to remain doubtful with a muscular injury that saw him omitted from the latest Ecuador squad, alongside Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo.