Arsenal have received yet more unwelcome injury news.
Arsenal will be without a number of key players when they take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Mikel Merino was injured in training just days after signing for the North London club. Fellow summer signing Riccardo Calafiori suffered a knock on international duty for Italy and was sent back to the Emirates Stadium.
On top of that, Martin Odegaard has now sustained an injury whilst representing Norway. After damaging his ankle in his nation’s 2-1 win over Austria, the playmaker had to limp off the pitch and was clearly in significant pain.
Arsenal’s medical staff immediately enquired about Odegaard, seeking all the information on his injury, but it seems safe to say that he is unlikely to be able to play any part in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
With Merino and Odegaard sidelined, and Declan Rice suspended after his red card against Brighton, Mikel Arteta is set to be without what would arguably be his entire first choice midfield for this crucial clash against the Gunners’ fiercest local rivals.
Alternative options for Odegaard are thin on the ground, especially as Fabio Vieira was allowed to follow Emile Smith Rowe out of the club this summer, returning to Porto on loan.
Arsenal fans bemoan Fabio Vieira exit after Martin Odegaard injury blow
As an injury crisis has struck at such an inopportune moment, many Arsenal fans on X have now criticised Arteta for his decision to let Vieira go.
One fan said: “People are thinking I am exaggerating things by posting negative while I am saying the truth. Truth is always bitter. We sold Smith Rowe and loaned out Vieira without bringing in any substitute and Ødegaard’s backup. We kept Gabriel Jesus who gets injured every week while having breakfast. With league based Champions League matches, Season will be long this season. Very long.”
Another stated: “Said it at the time but sending Fabio Vieira on loan was such a weird decision. Now Merino+Rice+Ødegaard potentially out for an away North London.”
One raged: “The clown in charge has released FABIO VIEIRA on loan, a player that is suppose to be be in charge as ODEGAARD got injured, that is why I still maintain my stand that the clown in charge is a complete FRAUD.”
Another fan added: “This is exactly why I’m against the Fabio Vieira loan. When things go right for Arsenal, expect serious problems to occur.”
Who will step up to replace Odegaard against Tottenham?
Whilst Arteta will be frustrated by Odegaard’s likely absence, and the Gunners will inevitably miss the Norwegian, there are players who can step into his shoes in his No. 8 role.
Hale End academy wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri could be handed his first ever start in this fixture. The 17-year-old’s talent is beyond doubt, and Arteta has promised that Nwaneri will play this season.
However, throwing him in at the deep end in such a fixture could easily backfire and damage his development.
Alternatively, Kai Havertz could drop back from the striker role, coming into the midfield unit, or Bukayo Saka or Leandro Trossard could shift inside from their usual outposts on the flanks.
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