Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard suffered another injury during the game against West Ham United.
The Norway international has had a really difficult time at the Emirates. An ankle injury in September 2024 had a negative impact on his entire campaign last season.
Odegaard would’ve wanted to get back to his best this term, but he suffered two shoulder injuries in back-to-back Premier League games.
Then, on Saturday, Odegaard hurt his knee against West Ham, and Mikel Arteta shared an extremely worrying update after the game.
“I think he had a clash knee-to-knee, and immediately, he was uncomfortable. I just spoke to him, and he’s not positive about it. He’s got a brace on,” the Arsenal manager said in his post-match press conference.
We really hope that Odegaard’s injury is not serious and that he will be back in action right after the international break.
However, Arteta’s update doesn’t fill us with much confidence, and a spell on the sidelines would be terrible news.
Three major losers at Arsenal after Martin Odegaard’s injury
Viktor Gyokeres
Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres showed some promising signs during Arsenal’s win against Olympiacos in the Champions League.
The Norway international found the striker with brilliant through balls, and that showed just how much he can help Gyokeres.
However, if Odegaard is out for a while, the Arsenal number 14 could struggle for service.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka has a tremendous relationship with Odegaard on the right side of the pitch, and the two players combine really well.
If Odegaard is set for a spell on the sidelines, Saka will become even more isolated on the right flank, especially as Jurrien Timber doesn’t overlap much.
That would make it slightly easier for teams to mark the Arsenal number seven.
Martin Odegaard
Odegaard must be cursing his luck since his injury against West Ham.
The Norway international created an unwanted record by becoming the first player in Premier League history to be substituted in the first half in three consecutive games.
If Odegaard misses a significant number of games, he could have another struggling season – just like last time.
Three potential winners after Martin Odegaard’s injury
Eberechi Eze
If Odegaard is out injured, Eberechi Eze will immediately become Arsenal’s first-choice attacking midfielder.
Most fans have been against the idea of using the Englishman out wide. Everyone feels he is much better as a number 10, and we agree.
Eze will get a good run of games through the middle if Odegaard’s injury proves to be serious. He will then get the chance to show everyone what he is all about.
Ethan Nwaneri
Ethan Nwaneri was recently left out of the Arsenal squad against Newcastle, even though he was made to travel to Tyneside for the game.
Arteta claimed that there will be times this season when he will have to leave someone out because Arsenal’s squad depth is incredible now.
If Odegaard is out, Nwaneri will definitely make the squad for every game as he is the most like-for-like alternative Arsenal have.
Max Dowman
Max Dowman has only been used as a right winger by Arteta whenever he has been given a chance this season.
The 15-year-old has looked incredible in that role, but he isn’t naturally a winger.
Jack Wilshere recently revealed that Dowman is a central player, so he may get chances as a number 10 at some stage if Odegaard is unavailable.
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