ARSENAL look set to ring the changes ahead of their trip to Brentford on Saturday evening, with Mikel Arteta receiving plenty of positive news on the fitness front.

Club captain Martin Odegaard returned to first-team training this week having missed the last three games through a hip injury and latterly concussion.

Odegaard withdrew from international duty, with Norway boss Stale Solbakken revealing that the midfielder is nearing full fitness. He said: “I’ve just come from a 45-minute talk with Martin. He is getting better and better and gradually stepping up. It has been more or less three weeks without any special training, so it is important to take things step by step.

“Both he and Arsenal probably hope that he is available for the Brentford match.”

Odegaard’s return is perfectly timed, with Fabio Vieira suspended following his straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Burnley’s Josh Brownhill last time out, while Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe both remain sidelined through injury. Meanwhile Arsenal’s trio of Gabriels – Magalhaes, Martinelli and Jesus – all featured for Brazil yesterday (Wednesday) morning in a 1-0 defeat against Argentina.

It’s unlikely that Arteta will have been thrilled to discover that Jesus played the entire 90 minutes for his country considering the striker has been sidelined for his club since picking up a hamstring strain against Sevilla four weeks ago.

The Gunners boss will be keen not to push Jesus too hard following his latest injury setback, and could use the player as an impact sub against Brentford this weekend. Despite the quick turnaround, however, Magalhaes and Martinelli are both likely to start at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Ben White is also expected to resume his role at right-back having missed the 3-1 win over Burnley after suffering a knock in training, while Jorginho is also available despite picking up ‘a few bad cuts’ against the Clarets.

Another player set for a return to the starting line-up is goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, with David Raya ineligible to Brentford. Raya has started every Premier League and Champions League game for the Gunners since the previous international break in September. But as the Spaniard isn’t allowed to play against his parent club Ramsdale will be expected to start between the sticks.

It comes just a week after Ramsdale’s father, Nick, poured cold water on Arteta’s claims that he has two No 1 goalkeepers who will be rotated.