'Always available' - Mikel Arteta drops major Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori injury hint

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says that Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori are 'always available' for selection, but he admits that the pair are still not fully fit.

Odegaard has been out with an ankle problem since Arsenal's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on September 4, while Calafiori has been struggling with a muscle injury.

Arteta is keen to have both players back in his squad as soon as possible, but he is not prepared to rush them back into action.

"They are both making good progress," Arteta said. "They are both working hard in training and they are both getting closer to being available for selection.

"But I want to make sure that they are 100% fit before I put them back in the team. I don't want to risk them getting injured again.

"I know that they are both frustrated, but they need to be patient. They will be back soon."

Arsenal are back in action on Saturday when they host Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby.

Arteta will be hoping to have Odegaard and Calafiori available for the game, but he admits that it is unlikely.

"It is a big game, but it is too early to say whether they will be fit for it," Arteta said.

"We will have to wait and see how they progress in training this week."