MIKEL ARTETA has confirmed Martin Odegaard’s absence after picking a bizarre bench against Wolves.
Arsenal will be hoping to pick up three points and keep the pressure on title rivals Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
Arteta has been left with a slim squad for the clash against the West Midlands strugglers.
He has been left without his captain and star midfielder, Odegaard, due to illness.
The Norweigian ace was ill this morning and was sent home from the team hotel ahead of the Premier League fixture.
It was also confirmed that midfielder Mikel Merino has also picked up a knock and will miss the game.
Arteta said: “Martin was ill this morning and we had to send him back – he was nowhere near fit to play.
“Mikel as well, because he got a knock and couldn’t make it yesterday for training.”
The manager has had to pick both goalkeepers Neto and Jack Porter on his bench.
He has also had to name four left-backs Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori and Kieran Tierney among the substitutes.
More to follow…
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