'Really bad luck' – Arsenal injury update vs Man City and dressing room plea over 'full 90'

ArsenalcaptainMartin Odegaard has issued an update on his shoulder injury as he faces a fight to be fit for this afternoon's blockbuster clash against Manchester City.

Odegaard, 26, was forced off in the first half of last Saturday's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest after suffering another injury to his shoulder. Speaking post-match, Arteta revealed that it was the same shoulder the Norwegian, who didn't feature against Athletic Club on Tuesday, injured against Leeds United last month.

In an interview with the club's media ahead of Sunday's game against City, Odegaard lifted the lid on his current condition and whether he could be available in time to face Pep Guardiola's men.

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"First, a quick update on my fitness," Odegaard started. "My shoulder was very sore, but I've just been taking it day by day this week, working hard to hopefully be ready in time for today’s game. It’s the same shoulder that I hurt in the Leeds United game, pretty much the same injury again, so it's just really bad luck.

"The first injury had healed really well, I was over it – but then the same thing happened again. It had never happened to me in 11 years, but then it happens twice in two weeks so it’s a strange one, and very unfortunate.

"The challenge itself was fine. I think three of us went for the same ball, and I felt something connect with my foot which kind of flipped me forward, and I couldn’t do anything about how I landed.

"It was really tough to come off because I was excited to be playing at home again, feeling good after the internationals and really wanting to be out there after coming off in the Leeds game."

Although Odegaard admitted he is hopeful of being fit to take on City, he was not spotted with the rest of his Arsenal teammates on their morning walk near the team hotel. 15-year-old sensation Max Dowman, who featured for the Under 21s on Saturday, was also not seen with the first team squad.

As for those that were present, Ben White and Bukayo Saka were both there and are expected to be part of the squad to face City at 4:30pm.

Saka hasn't featured since the win at home to Leeds after injuring his hamstring. At the time, Arteta said that the 24-year-old would be out for a "couple of weeks".

He missed the trip to Liverpool, both England games during the September international break and the most recent two matches since the two-break hiatus.

When asked about Saka and Ben White, both of whom didn't feature against Athletic Club, Arteta said in his pre-match press conference: "If there is a chance, it will be after tomorrow's session as they haven't done anything yet, so we'll have more information tomorrow."

White was back on the bench for the Forest game following a knock, but he was left out of the matchday squad for the midweek Champions League win at San Mames with an unspecified issue.

Arsenal face City looking to record their fourth win from five Premier League matches this season. The Gunners also won in Bilbao in the Champions League and have made an impressive start.

However, Odegaard has urged the Gunners to put in a complete performance against City, after beating them 5-1 at the Emirates last season. "We want to win trophies here and to do that we need everyone to work together and everyone to be on the same page," Odegaard added.

"We're all in this together and we all want the same thing, so we need to make the most out of it. That’s the mindset going into every game, including today against Manchester City. Our win over them here last season was great, because it’s always tough to play them. It’s always very tactical with a lot of things you need to adapt to during the game."

Odegaard made a plea to his team-mates about how they need to be on top of their game for the full match, adding: "You need to be really sharp for the whole 90 minutes.

"I think in the last few games against them we have shown we are ready to do that and hopefully we can have another great night like last year, and beat them again."