Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard may be a doubt for both Norway’s upcoming Nations League fixtures and Arsenal’s key Premier League games, following an injury sustained during the Gunners’ 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Norway’s head coach, Stale Solbakken, hinted that Odegaard might be struggling with an injury picked up in the match, sparking concerns about his fitness.
With the international break interrupting Premier League play, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is likely keeping a close watch on the fitness of his players as they join up with their national teams.
Odegaard, the Norway international who missed out on Euro 2024 because his nation failed to qualify, was originally set to take part in Norway’s Nations League matches against Kazakhstan and Austria.
However, Solbakken’s comments have raised doubts about whether the Arsenal playmaker will be ready to feature for his country.
When asked about Odegaard’s condition after the Brighton game, Solbakken explained, “I think it’s another bang,” indicating that the injury could be linked to the physical toll from the match.
His statement suggests that the knock Odegaard received may be more significant than initially thought.
Though it remains unclear whether Odegaard will recover in time for Norway’s clash with Kazakhstan on Friday, the news has raised alarms among Arsenal supporters, especially with the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur looming on the horizon.
Arsenal’s fans and staff alike will hope their captain can recover quickly for that crucial encounter, but his potential absence could leave the team facing a midfield crisis.
The situation is made more pressing due to a lack of depth in Arsenal’s midfield.
The Gunners are already short on options, as Declan Rice was shown a contentious red card in the same match against Brighton.
As a result, Rice will serve a one-match ban, ruling him out of the highly anticipated derby against Tottenham.
Furthermore, Arsenal allowed Fabio Vieira to leave on loan to Porto during the summer transfer window, thinning their midfield options even further.
If Odegaard is unavailable for the Tottenham game, Arteta will be left with just three senior midfielders to choose from, which could drop to two in the worst-case scenario.
Thomas Partey has been a consistent presence in Arsenal’s midfield so far this season, but there have been growing calls from fans to see more of veteran midfielder Jorginho.
While Partey remains a key figure in the team, the combination of Rice’s suspension and Odegaard’s potential injury could create a selection dilemma for Arteta.
The coach will need to carefully manage his remaining midfielders to ensure the team remains competitive in what is always a tense and important fixture against Spurs.
Arteta and Arsenal’s medical team will be closely monitoring Odegaard’s progress over the next few days, hoping the injury is not severe enough to sideline their influential captain for an extended period.
Odegaard has been an integral part of Arsenal’s lineup, and his leadership on the field is especially crucial with the team aiming for a top-four finish this season.
For Norway, the situation is also concerning. Odegaard, who is a vital player for his national side, was expected to lead Norway in their upcoming Nations League matches, with the country seeking to build momentum after missing out on Euro 2024.
Whether or not he can take part in those fixtures remains to be seen, but his priority will likely be regaining full fitness ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League matches.
Martin Odegaard’s injury, sustained during Arsenal’s draw with Brighton, has cast doubt on his availability for both Norway’s international fixtures and Arsenal’s upcoming North London derby.
With Declan Rice suspended and Fabio Vieira out on loan, Arsenal could face a midfield shortage, placing additional pressure on Thomas Partey and Jorginho to step up in Odegaard’s absence.
Arteta will be hoping for a quick recovery from his captain, as Odegaard’s presence is vital to the team’s success in the coming weeks.