Arsenal fans have called on Mikel Arteta to do one thing this week following the latest instalment of injury news.
The Gunners have their minds fixed firmly on the upcoming North London derby that takes place after the international break.
A host of Arteta’s key players are away on international duty, which has come at a frustrating time for Arsenal.
Last time out in the Premier League, Arteta’s side dropped points at the Emirates against Brighton, with redemption needed in the next fixture.
Next weekend, the Gunners travel across North London to face Tottenham in a fixture that is a must-win as a difficult schedule lies ahead.
The issue that Arteta could have regards squad selection, with Declan Rice suspended and fellow central midfielder Mikel Merino injured, not eased by the latest drop of injury news.
Arsenal fans call for Martin Odegaard to be withdrawn from international duty
Upon joining up with the Norwegian national team, it was realised by Norway manager Stale Solbakken that Martin Odegaard is carrying an injury.
The coach explained that it was a different issue to the knock that the Arsenal captain sustained against Brighton, which saw him perform far below his usual standard.
As the news of Odegaard’s fitness status circulated on X, Arsenal fans were quick to call on Arteta to withdraw the skipper from international duty.
“Come on, other players get ill and they come home. You HAVE to recall him. We have NO backup.”
One supporter said, “This doesn’t sound good bring him back to England as possible,” with another agreeing, “Knock? Time to withdraw.”
“Get him back immediately,” one fan said as they went on to compare Arsenal’s stance on the international break compared to their Premier League title rivals.
“We have to pull our players out of pointless international games if we’re serious.”
The subject of players being withdrawn from participating in the international break is rife at the moment, with Manchester City withdrawing Phil Foden from England’s fixtures.
Doubting Foden’s illness, one Arsenal fan said, “Sometimes we are too honest, our competitors regularly have their players feign injury to get them ready for big games.”
“Righteousness can’t get us anywhere to win,” another fan said, which was agreed with, “These niceties are gonna cost us! Can’t believe this! All to not even make the major tournaments.”
Pep Guardiola has not hesitated to recall his players before from international duty, something that Arsenal fans want to see from Arteta in the case of Odegaard.
“Haaland can literally duck Major tournament qualifying, we are trying to be gracious?”
“If Haaland even feels a slight cough his bags will be packed and he’ll be back at City but our guys wanna play through knocks,” a concerned supporter explained.
Arsenal fans want Odegaard to return to North London
The severity of Odegaard’s injury is not known however, Arsenal fans have heard enough to suggest that Arteta must recall the club captain.
It’s a fair point from the supporters, who have their minds fixed on the abundance of difficult fixtures that await the Gunners after the break.
The challenges don’t stop after the North London derby, with an away trip to Manchester City coming soon after and Champions League action also returning.
Now would be the worst time for another member of Arteta’s squad to suffer an injury, giving Arteta added incentive to perhaps follow Guardiola’s method of plucking his key star’s away from the international stage.
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