30 October 2023 , 03:00
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Arsenal ensured they remained within touching distance of rivals and Premier League pacesetters Tottenham after hammering Sheffield United 5-0 this weekend.
The two north London sides are the only undefeated teams in the top flight and the Gunners made light work of the Blades with Eddie Nketiah bagging a hat-trick at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side continues to endure the grind of two games a week.
They have a notable injury list and are in Carabao Cup action in midweek before facing Eddie Howe's Newcastle next weekend, which could prove testing on their resources. Here's the latest from the Emirates.
Saka beams after captain's role
Bukayo Saka donned the captain’s armband during their win over the Blades and couldn't hide his pride. The England winger deputised for rested skipper Martin Odegaard and skippered the team for first time, which struck a particular chord with Saka, who has come through the club's academy and is a firm fans' favourite.
He said: “To be at the front, leading the boys out, was just unbelievable.” Saka went on to add: “You know me and you know where I’ve come from - the academy.
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“I’m lost for words - it’s hard to describe this feeling, it’s just amazing. It was a different experience. Obviously, I was learning on the job and sometimes I didn’t know where I was supposed to be! But in the end, we played well, which was the most important thing.”
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Bukayo Saka captained Arsenal for the first time (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Gunners consider Marquinhos return
Arsenal will consider bringing Marquinhos back to the club from his loan spell with Nantes in January.
The 20-year-old has seen his minutes limited in France with his temporary club handing him just one start in Ligue 1. That has seen him play less than 90 minutes of football with his development not being aided as Arteta would like.
His peripheral status was underlined by Nantes allowing the Brazilian to participate in the Pan American Games in Chile this month with Brazil under-23s. Arsenal were in talks over a loan agreement with Greek giants Olympiakos for Marquinhos before he ended up going to France.
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Marquinhos was sent out on loan, but has struggled for minutes (Salvio Calabrese/Action Plus/REX/Shutterstock)Arteta confirms Odegaard injury
Arteta has confirmed that club captain Martin Odegaard is "carrying a little thing that has not been comfortable" after dropping him from the team that saw off Sheffield United on Saturday.
Odegaard had been almost undroppable, featuring in 71 of the previous 72 Premier League games prior to the 5-0 win. The Norwegian watched on from the bench with his diagnosis not yet confirmed as the games continue to come thick and fast.
Arsenal are dealing with several injury woes as centre-back Gabriel and former No.1 goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale also both sit on the sidelines nursing specific issues.
Read more here.
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