Martin Odegaard Injury: Arsenal Captain Set to Miss North London Derby

Arsenal Captain Martin Odegaard Faces Injury Setback Ahead of North London Derby

Arsenal's preparations for the crucial North London derby this Sunday against Tottenham have taken a significant hit. The Gunners' captain, Martin Odegaard, suffered an ankle injury during his international duty with Norway, raising concerns about his availability for this pivotal match.

Details of the Injury

Odegaard was injured while representing Norway in the Nations League match against Austria, leading to him being carried off the pitch. Norway's coach, Stale Solbakken, expressed concern about the severity of the injury on broadcaster TV2, stating, "It looked bad in the dressing room too." Team doctor Ola Sand has since confirmed it to be a "small ankle sprain" but indicated that more information would be available later.

Impact on Arsenal's Midfield

Odegaard's potential absence leaves Mikel Arteta in a precarious situation as he prepares for an intense week ahead involving multiple fixtures. The Gunners are already facing a midfield crisis with other key players sidelined:

• Mikel Merino has fractured his shoulder and is expected to miss a significant part of the season.
• Declan Rice is suspended following a red card against Brighton.

This scenario means Arsenal might head into the derby without their first-choice midfield options, severely testing the squad.

Who Will Replace Odegaard?

One of the most likely candidates to step in for Odegaard is Leandro Trossard, who could assume a more central role in the midfield. His repositioning could also allow Raheem Sterling - a recent loan signing - to make his first start for Arsenal on the left wing against Tottenham.

Mikel Arteta faces additional selection dilemmas, particularly regarding who to pair with Thomas Partey in the midfield. With options limited, Arteta might consider deploying youth players such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who have shown promise in pre-season.

Odegaard's Importance to Arsenal

Martian Odegaard is not just the captain but a crucial player in Arsenal's setup. As pointed out by Sky Sports' Sam Blitz, Odegaard was the most creative player in the Premier League last season, topping expected assists with 11.17, closely followed by teammates like Bukayo Saka. His lack of presence on the pitch would undoubtedly affect Arsenal's attacking prowess and pressing strategy, suggesting that his role is irreplaceable.

Upcoming Fixtures: A Tough Schedule Awaits

As Arsenal navigates these challenges, they have a hectic schedule ahead that includes:

1. September 15: Tottenham (A), Premier League
2. September 19: Atalanta (A), Champions League
3. September 22: Man City (A), Premier League
4. September 25: Bolton (H), Carabao Cup third round
5. September 28: Leicester (H), Premier League
6. October 1: Paris Saint-Germain (H), Champions League

The next seven games will highly influence Arsenal's position in both domestic and Champions League competitions.

Conclusion

Martin Odegaard's injury is a significant concern for Arsenal at a critical juncture of the season. The team must quickly adapt to this challenge if they hope to keep pace in the title race with teams like Manchester City and make a strong impression in their Champions League return.