Arsenal will be without their captain, Martin Odegaard, for a series of crucial matches due to a knee injury sustained against West Ham United. The Norwegian midfielder is expected to be sidelined until mid-November, creating a headache for Mikel Arteta. This absence impacts Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League ambitions. Ødegaard’s creativity and leadership will be sorely missed during this period.
Martin Odegaard ruled out until November with injury
Martin Odegaard has been ruled out of action until mid-November after suffering a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury in his left knee. The injury occurred during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over West Ham United on October 4. A collision with Hammers winger Crysencio Summerville forced the 26-year-old off the pitch in the 30th minute.
As a result of the injury, Ødegaard has been withdrawn from Norway’s national team squad. This setback adds to a frustrating season for the Arsenal captain. He had previously sustained two shoulder injuries against Leeds United in August and Nottingham Forest in September.
Arsenal to miss key matches without Martin Odegaard
According to BBC Sport, Martin Ødegaard is expected to be out for approximately six weeks. His potential return date is around November 23, when Arsenal is scheduled to face Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby. However, this return is contingent on his recovery progressing as expected.
During his absence, Ødegaard is set to miss several key fixtures. These include Premier League matches against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Sunderland. Furthermore, he will miss a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brighton and a Champions League away game against Slavia Prague.
Mikel Arteta faces injury challenges across the squad
The news of Martin Odegaard’s injury is a significant blow to Mikel Arteta. Arsenal currently leads the Premier League. However, the team faces a growing injury list at a critical juncture in the season. Declan Rice is dealing with a minor back complaint. Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke are nursing knee issues, potentially sidelining them until mid-November. Gabriel Gabriel Jesus remains a long-term absentee.
Following the West Ham match, the Arsenal boss expressed concern but declined to speculate on the extent of the injury. He stated, “I just spoke to him. It’s not good news, but we’ll assess it properly.” Injury analyst Ben Dinnery suggested the issue appears to be a moderate MCL strain. This is better than a severe tear, which would have sidelined the playmaker for several months.
Mikel Arteta will need to rely on his squad depth. Arsenal faces a congested fixture schedule in the Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup. The November international break offers a welcome pause. Arteta will hope Ødegaard is ready to lead the Gunners out once more when they clash with Spurs on November 23.
With four league outings, a cup tie, and a vital European trip on the horizon, Arsenal will be desperate for their captain’s swift return.
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Arsenal now face a test of their squad depth and resilience. The coming weeks will reveal how well they can cope without their influential captain, Martin Ødegaard, as they navigate a demanding schedule across multiple competitions.
