This morning, news emerged that could have serious implications for the career of Arsenal’s captain, Martin Odegaard.
Norway’s national team manager, Stale Solbakken, has hinted that Odegaard may be carrying an injury following Arsenal’s recent 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
As the Premier League pauses for the international break, Arsenal’s head coach Mikel Arteta will be closely watching his players who are off representing their respective national teams.
Odegaard, who was already feeling the disappointment of missing out on Euro 2024 after Norway failed to qualify, was expected to participate in the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Norway is set to face Kazakhstan and Austria during this international break in September, and Odegaard was expected to play a crucial role for his national side.
However, recent comments from Solbakken have cast doubt on Odegaard’s fitness and availability for the upcoming matches.
When asked by reporters whether Odegaard’s potential injury was a result of the Brighton match, Solbakken responded by saying, “I think it’s another bang,” suggesting that Odegaard may have suffered a knock in that game.
He then went on to say, “I was about to say, I think it is something other than the bang, so to speak,” indicating that the issue might be more complex than just a minor knock.
This has raised concerns about Odegaard’s overall condition, both for Norway’s upcoming games and his ability to return fully fit for Arsenal after the break.
At present, it remains uncertain whether Odegaard will recover in time to feature in Norway’s Nations League game against Kazakhstan on Friday.
For Arsenal fans, the primary concern is whether their captain will be fit and ready for the crucial North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
This fixture is always a significant one in Arsenal’s calendar, and with the current state of the team’s midfield, the potential absence of Odegaard could be a huge blow.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta already faces a difficult situation in midfield.
Declan Rice, one of the team’s key players, received a red card during the Brighton game, meaning he will miss at least one match due to suspension.
That suspension includes the vital clash with Tottenham, a game that could have major implications for Arsenal’s campaign.
Rice’s absence already depletes the options in the middle of the park, and should Odegaard also be ruled out, Arteta will be left with very few experienced players to rely on in that position.
Arsenal’s midfield options were further reduced late in the summer transfer window when Fabio Vieira was loaned out to Porto.
With Vieira gone, Arteta now has just three senior midfielders to choose from.
If Odegaard’s injury keeps him out of the squad, that number will drop to just two, which could leave Arsenal dangerously short-handed in such a crucial area of the field.
One option that fans have been pushing for is more game time for veteran midfielder Jorginho, who could step up in Rice and Odegaard’s absence.
However, Thomas Partey has been a regular in Arteta’s squad this season and is likely to be leaned on even more heavily if Odegaard is sidelined.
Partey’s experience and composure could be vital for Arsenal in navigating through this challenging period.
The concerns surrounding Odegaard’s potential injury, combined with Declan Rice’s suspension, have created a difficult situation for Arteta.
The North London derby against Tottenham is always a pivotal fixture, and the outcome could have a significant impact on Arsenal’s campaign.
Without two of his key midfielders, Arteta will need to come up with creative solutions to fill the gap and ensure his team is ready for the challenge ahead.
Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how the situation develops, both for Norway during the international break and for Arsenal as they prepare for one of their most important matches of the season.
