Arsenal are without captain Martin Odegaard, as their captain was not in their squad for the trip to Wolves on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta has had so many injury problems to contend with and Odegaard being out is obviously a blow as he’s their driving force and creative hub from midfield.

Odegaard joins Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines, while French center back William Saliba was fit enough to return to the Arsenal starting lineup on Saturday.

Martin Odegaard update — ‘He was nowhere near fit’

Arsenal released their team news for the game at Wolves and simply stated “Odegaard and Merino miss out” with Gunners fans eager to find out why.

Arteta has confirmed that Odegaard is out with illness.

“Martin was ill this morning and we had to send him back – he was nowhere near fit to play,” Arteta said.

Odegaard, 26, is the heartbeat of this Arsenal side and whenever he’s been missing this season they haven’t clicked and looked like the same team.

Let’s see if youngster Ethan Nwaneri, who was picked in his place, can deliver the creativity Arsenal need as they aim to stay hot on the heels of Liverpool in the title race.