Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta drops ‘impossible’ Martin Odegaard claim ahead of West Ham

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Mikel Arteta has insisted that Martin Odegaard can still feature for Arsenal despite dealing with a slight fitness issue.

Martin Odegaard was benched for the Gunners’ recent 5-0 battering of Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium. The Arsenal club captain has not been in good form in recent weeks and looked in need of a break.

Mikel Arteta also confirmed after the match that the Norwegian midfielder has been dealing with some discomfort when playing recently. It has been suggested that this may have been a factor behind some of Odegaard’s below-par performances.

Despite this concern, Arteta still expects Odegaard to contribute on the pitch when called upon. As quoted by the club’s official website, the Spanish coach said, “it’s impossible to play with no niggles in football, and at this level, when you have games every three days, it’s impossible. If you try to do that, you better stay in bed, because I don’t know any players who are constantly perfect and to be in the best possible condition, so you have to adapt to that.”

Time for someone to challenge Martin Odegaard

The Gunners need the 24-year-old to get back to his best quickly. He is a talismanic figure for the club, and at his best is arguably the most talented player currently on the books at the Emirates Stadium.

It remains to be seen if Arteta will elect to start Odegaard against West Ham United in their EFL Cup encounter on Wednesday evening. It is likely that he will be involved at the London Stadium to some extent, even if only from the bench, to allow him to get some sharpness ahead of this weekend’s trip to face Newcastle United in a Premier League fixture at St James’ Park.

If Odegaard is benched against the Hammers, then the likes of Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira, and Emile Smith Rowe – whoever Arteta picks to play – need to show that they can step up and shine in the Norway international’s absence. This match is a huge opportunity for one of those players to provide some genuine competition for the former Real Madrid man. Being seriously challenged to maintain his place in the team may be just what Odegaard needs right now.