Arsenal fans told why Martin Odegaard is still expected to play vs Tottenham in the North London Derby

Add as preferred source on Google

Martin Odegaard sustained an injury whilst playing for Norway last night.

Arsenal club captain Martin Odegaard is now a doubt for Sunday’s North London derby.

Mikel Arteta will be without several key players for this match. Declan Rice is suspended, as he was sent off in the Gunners’ last game against Brighton. 

On top of that, Mikel Merino remains sidelined, having damaged his shoulder in his first Arsenal training session.

Arsenal have enquired about Odegaard’s injury, contacting the Norway medical team for an update, but it would seem unlikely at this stage that the playmaker will be fit to play any part against Spurs. 

However, former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf is not so convinced that the midfielder ought to be ruled out.

• READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard from girlfriend to £65k car

Martin Odegaard told he can still feature for Arsenal vs Tottenham

Speaking on ESPN, the former France international gave his verdict on Odegaard’s injury, recalling his own experiences with similar issues. 

The 56-year-old stated: “No it’s not good news, but I’ve twisted my ankle, my right ankle 16 times and my left ankle 15 times… If it’s not a fracture, if your bone is not touched.

“I was called a soft player in England, if you are quite strong, you do the strap. If you’re in an important game, you’re going to be on the field. It’s what I think. It might damage your ligament for after the football, but during that time you can handle it.

“If you strap well, you can play with it… I’m pretty sure they can sort Odegaard’s problem out, and hopefully he can play for the Gunners.”

Should Arsenal take a risk with Martin Odegaard?

Whilst it is potentially true that Odegaard could be nursed through this derby clash with strapping and injections, he would surely struggle to produce his best, and there would be a major risk of aggravating the injury. 

If the price of playing Odegaard against Spurs is that he is then kept out of action for an extended period afterwards, then Arteta will surely turn to other solutions and refrain from calling upon the former Real Madrid man at all.

There are other midfield solutions for Arteta to consider, with the likes of Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Ethan Nwaneri, and Kai Havertz, amongst others, offering potential answers.

In any case, despite Leboeuf’s convictions, it is hard to imagine Arteta rolling the dice on Odegaard this weekend, given that the skipper will be a key player for the Gunners for the rest of the season.