Arsenal injury latest: Odegaard knock as one star faces winter wait

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Arsenal's international break has brought a fresh set of fitness concerns, with captain Martin Odegaard the latest name added to the list after picking up an ankle knock on Norway duty.

Odegaard was on the receiving end of a late challenge from Bernardo Silva during Norway's 2-1 home defeat by Portugal in the Nations League in Oslo on Sunday night, and was seen limping after the final whistle.

"I hope not, but I got a knock on my ankle there," the Arsenal skipper said when asked whether he would have to withdraw from the squad. "So it probably won't be good tonight." Norway face Wales on Thursday before a rematch with Portugal at the weekend.

Havertz and Rice back at London Colney

Kai Havertz was forced off during Germany's Nations League draw with the Netherlands last Thursday, leaving the pitch with a suspected hamstring problem after a high challenge from Quinten Timber — brother of his Arsenal team-mate Jurrien.

Havertz departed the Germany camp on Friday and returned to Arsenal, with the DFB describing the issue as a "muscle strain". According to the Evening Standard, there is optimism at the club that the injury is not a long-term one, with further tests to be carried out by Arsenal's medical staff.

Declan Rice, meanwhile, dropped out of the England squad last Monday as one of five withdrawals. The same report states that Rice is not believed to be carrying an injury, with the midfielder instead being given a period of rest at Arsenal after a run of niggling problems over the past 12 months.

Ezri Konsa is another to be monitored. The defender played the full 90 minutes of England's 3-2 defeat by Spain at Wembley, but the FA confirmed on Monday that he was not training with the main squad ahead of the trip to Prague, instead following an individual programme.

Defensive absentees closing in on returns

Piero Hincapie was left out of Ecuador's squad entirely, with new manager Marcelo Gallardo confirming the decision was down to injury. The defender has started just once for Arsenal across all competitions this season.

There is better news elsewhere. Ben White, who suffered a groin issue in the 2-0 win at Sunderland on 12 September and was absent against Brighton, is expected to be fine after the break, while Cristhian Mosquera travelled with the squad to the Amex despite not being in the matchday 20 and should be fully recovered from his muscle problem.

William Saliba remains the long-term absentee. Sidelined since July with a back injury that the club confirmed does not require surgery, the Frenchman has been named in Arsenal's Champions League squad but may not feature until after the November international break.

Arsenal, whose seven-game winning start was ended by a 3-0 defeat at Brighton, return to Premier League action against Leeds at the Emirates on 10 October.