MIK'S GAARD OF HONOUR

Boss Arteta can't wait for inspirational Norwegian to shake off his latest injury setback and join the Gunners' title chase

- BY TOM CANTON

MARTIN ODEGAARD'S injury setbacks have been “tough” for him, but Mikel Arteta is confident the Arsenal captain can return to his best and help get their Premier League title bid back on track.

Injuries have again haunted Arsenal's season with more than 30 separate incidents of players missing matches already, closing in on a tally of 39 from the previous campaign, with more than three months left to play.

Odegaard suffered what was his fourth issue this term in the 1-1 draw with Brentford, overextending his knee in a collision with Keane Lewis-Potter.

The popular playmaker faces a race to be fit for today's North London derby against Tottenham, with boss Arteta desperate to have his skipper back fighting fit. The Spaniard said: “We have missed him for the biggest part of the season. The percentage of time he has been available for us has been far from ideal.