MARTIN ODEGAARD is set to return for Arsenal in the North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
The club skipper has missed seven matches with a knee injury sustained in the 2-0 win over West Ham on October 4.
But midfielder Odegaard has returned to full training and is ready to be part of the squad as Arsenal look to maintain their four-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Striker Viktor Gyokeres, who suffered a hamstring injury against Burnley three weeks ago, is still a doubt for the Tottenham match.
And the Gunners were dealt a hammer blow with key defender Gabriel Magalhaes ruled out for up at least a month earlier this week.
But manager Mikel Arteta could remain cautious with Odegaard and leave him on the bench for Tottenham.
Odegaard was keen to play for Norway in the last international break with his nation clinching qualifying for the World Cup.
The 26-year-old was not included in the squad but still travelled and trained in Oslo.
And Odegaard was still part of the celebrations after they secured their first World Cup appearance for 28 years.
He was on the pitch after they clinched top spot with a 4-1 win over Estonia last Thursday.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
The team then hammered Italy 4-1 in Milan and then partied in Oslo in front of 50,000 fans on Monday after accepting congratulation from the Prime Minister.
On social media, Odegaard wrote: “We’ve been dreaming of moments like this since we were little kids.
“We have been working so hard. We have failed and failed… But we never gave up. Never lose faith, hope or unity.
“This group has stood together through the toughest days and moments, and therefore it feels even better to be where we are today.
“Proud to be a part of this crew. Proud to play for Norway. Proud to be Norwegian. Proud to represent Norway in the World Cup!
“Dreams can really come true if you work hard and believe enough.
“To all the children and young adults out there: We were all once like you. So dream big and work hard, and everything is possible!
“Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us yesterday and thank you for all the love we have received the past few days!
“It means more than you know. Let’s enjoy the moment, but we won’t stop here…”
Odegaard missed a similar portion of last season with an ankle injury and sat out of the draw with Manchester City in September due to a shoulder problem suffered early on against Nottingham Forest.
The news of his captain’s possible availability will come as welcome news for boss Mikel Arteta.
The Arsenal gaffer will definitely be without Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel against the bitter rivals.
Jesus is training again while Havertz and Madueke are understood to be close to returning to the grass.
Arteta is also sweating on the fitness of Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Martinelli and Gyokeres.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have their own injury woes.
James Maddison is out for the season following ACL surgery.
Then the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, Pape Sarr, Dominic Solanke, Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma, Archie Gray, Kota Takai, Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus, Cristian Romero and Kolo Muani are all either coming back from problems or at risk of missing out.