Martin Odegaard, one of Arsenal’s most influential players, is set to miss the club’s upcoming crucial matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City due to an ankle injury. The injury was sustained during Norway’s international match against Austria on Monday, where the midfielder was forced off the pitch in clear distress after rolling his ankle. With further medical tests lined up, it appears that Arsenal’s key creative outlet will be sidelined for at least three weeks.
The Norwegian national team doctor, Ola Sand, confirmed that Odegaard could be out for an extended period, putting Arsenal’s hopes of emerging unscathed from a challenging run of fixtures in jeopardy. After Monday’s incident, Odegaard returned to London on crutches, further fueling concerns about the severity of his injury.
A Crucial Absence in Arsenal’s Midfield
Odegaard’s absence could not come at a worse time for Arsenal. After winning key fixtures early in the season, the Gunners are now facing Tottenham, Atalanta (in the Champions League), and Manchester City in back-to-back away games, which could define their trajectory in both the Premier League and European competition.
In Odegaard’s absence, Mikel Arteta will need to reshuffle his midfield, which has already been weakened by injuries and suspensions. New signing Mikel Merino suffered a shoulder injury during his first training session after arriving from Real Sociedad for £30 million. Meanwhile, Declan Rice is suspended for the north London derby against Spurs following a red card in Arsenal’s last match against Brighton. This has left Arteta with a severely depleted midfield and forced to explore alternative options to maintain momentum in a vital stretch of the season.
Norway’s Doctor Updates on Odegaard’s Injury
Ola Sand, Norway’s team doctor, gave a worrying update about Odegaard’s condition, although there is a glimmer of hope. Sand confirmed that an MRI scan conducted in London ruled out a fracture, but the ankle injury is likely to take a minimum of three weeks to heal. In an interview with Norwegian outlet VG, Sand explained:
“Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus. And then it can take longer.”
While the absence of a fracture reduces the worst-case scenario of a six-week recovery period, Sand stressed that the healing process could be longer than anticipated, depending on how Odegaard responds to treatment. He added:
“Ankle injuries are very painful right away. With Martin, it was extremely painful, and he became very worried. But based on the MRI, there is no fracture.”
The Norway medical team has not entirely ruled out Odegaard’s participation in the next international break, which is scheduled a month from now. Still, Sand cautioned that the midfielder’s recovery must be closely monitored to prevent further complications. Odegaard will undergo additional tests at Arsenal’s medical facilities to determine the full extent of his injury.
Arsenal’s Midfield Crisis
Arsenal’s midfield crisis is now the talk of the Premier League. With Odegaard’s injury compounded by Merino’s absence and Rice’s suspension, Mikel Arteta is left with limited options to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Odegaard, who has been pivotal in Arsenal’s build-up play and high pressing, will be sorely missed in a fixture of such importance.
The timing is particularly brutal for the Gunners. This three-game stretch, including matches against Spurs, Atalanta, and Manchester City, could define Arsenal’s season. A poor run of form could leave the team significantly behind their title rivals, especially Manchester City, who have made an impressive start to the season.
Should Arsenal lose both to Spurs and City, they could find themselves eight points adrift at this early stage in the season. Given Manchester City’s relentless consistency in recent years, closing that gap would be a monumental task for Arteta’s side.
Odegaard’s Importance to Arsenal’s Playstyle
Martin Odegaard has become one of the most integral figures in Arteta’s system since his arrival from Real Madrid. The 25-year-old captain has been central to Arsenal’s midfield, combining creativity with defensive work rate. His ability to press opponents high up the pitch while orchestrating attacks is critical to the team’s style of play. Without him, Arsenal will need to find other ways to break down the likes of Spurs and Manchester City, both of whom have started the season strongly.
Odegaard’s absence means Arteta must rely more on younger or less experienced players to step up in these decisive fixtures. The likes of Fabio Vieira or Emile Smith Rowe, who has struggled with fitness, could be called upon to fill the void left by the Norwegian international.
However, none of these players offer the same level of influence Odegaard brings in terms of controlling the game and leading the team’s press. His absence could lead to a less fluid Arsenal side, one that may struggle to dominate possession or create high-quality chances against strong opponents.
Arsenal’s Upcoming Fixtures: A Defining Period
Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures will truly test the depth of Arteta’s squad. The north London derby against Spurs is always a high-stakes affair, but this time it holds even more importance due to Arsenal’s need to keep pace with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Following the clash against Spurs, Arsenal will travel to Italy to face Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League. This will be followed by their toughest test of the season so far – an away trip to face reigning champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
If Arsenal manage to come through this period with positive results, it could provide the momentum they need to mount a serious title challenge this season. But without Odegaard, that task becomes significantly more difficult.
Conclusion
Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury has come at the worst possible time for Arsenal. As they prepare for a season-defining run of fixtures against Spurs, Atalanta, and Manchester City, the Gunners will need to find a way to cope without their star midfielder. Odegaard’s absence leaves a huge void in both creativity and leadership on the pitch, putting Mikel Arteta’s side under immense pressure to deliver results. Only time will tell how long Odegaard will be out, but Arsenal fans will be hoping for a swift recovery as their team battles through this challenging period.
Source: The Telegraph
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