Arsenal news: Mikel Merino assessment made as Gunners get Martin Odegaard injury update

Arsenal's flying start continued on Tuesday night with a comfortable victory over Paris Saint-Germain in Europe.

Tuesday's match also brought a long-awaited debut for Mikel Merino, The Spanish midfielder was injured in his first training session after his summer move from Real Sociedad, but replaced Thomas Partey during the second half.
With captain Martin Odegaard still sidelined, Merino could have an important role to play in the coming weeks. Both players are in focus as Mirror Football brings you the latest from around the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta impressed with Merino
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was finally able to hand Mikel Merino a debut on Tuesday, and spoke about how impressed he has been with the Spaniard. "Really good, because he joined us and first session he got injured," the manager began.

"He had only one session with us, he was ready, he was really willing to be part of this today and obviously with the injuries and changes we had to make, we believe that he was the player that could help us in that phase. I think he’s done really well."

Reflecting on the win in a wider sense, he said: "I think it raises the confidence and belief that we can compete with any team at that level in European competitions, with the style of games that are very different to the Premier League. I think we showed a lot of maturity in the way we played."

Odegaard to miss internationals
While the Gunners wait to learn when Martin Odegaard might be fit to return, Norway know he won't be available for the upcoming international break. Arsenal's captain, who also skippers his national side, was injured during a UEFA Nations League match in September.

"He is far from being in the squad," Norway manager Stale Solbakken said of Odegaard. "We will have to see how far he gets during this international break. It is possible that he will come, but it depends a little on his rehabilitation. I have not spoken to him in the past four or five days."

How impressed have you been with Arsenal's displays without Odegaard? Have your say in the comments section

Norway were already without Manchester City youngster Oscar Bobb, who suffered a broken leg in August. "That both Oscar and Martin are out at the same time - it would be naive to say that it doesn't have a meaning," Solbakken said,

Solbakken's side have four points from their first two Nations League games at home to Austria and away to Kazakhstan. Their next two matches see them host Slovenia before travelling to Austria on October 13.

“It is tough. It is tough to recover from that mentally. Everybody here in the club was really nice to me, really lovely, you could feel the love and support of everybody. Obviously that helped me a lot in the recovery and finally, I can say I am officially an Arsenal player now! I have made my debut and I am buzzing."

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