Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard is set for a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury to his left knee during the Gunners' recent 2-0 victory against West Ham United. The injury, which occurred in the first half of the match following a collision, forced the Norwegian midfielder to withdraw from international duty.
Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the news, stating that Ødegaard will be out for "weeks". While the club has not provided a definite return date, it is expected that the 26-year-old will be unavailable until after the November international break. This timeline suggests a potential return around November 23, with a home game against Tottenham Hotspur as a possible target. However, some reports express doubt about his involvement in the North London derby.
Arteta acknowledged Ødegaard's importance to the team, highlighting his unique qualities in attack. "He's our captain and is a player that gives us a completely different dimension with the things that he can do, especially in attacking," Arteta said.
Ødegaard's absence will see him miss a string of crucial games for Arsenal, including Premier League matches against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sunderland. He will also be unavailable for Champions League clashes against Atlético Madrid and Slavia Prague, as well as a Carabao Cup tie against Brighton.
This injury setback adds to Ødegaard's frustrating season, which has already been disrupted by a shoulder problem. He became the first player in Premier League history to be subbed off in the first half of three consecutive appearances. Despite these injury concerns, Arteta expressed confidence in Ødegaard's recovery, noting his positive attitude and dedication to preventing injuries. "I think he's in a really good place. He does everything he possibly can to prevent injuries. The ones he had are very difficult to prevent so that takes some weight off," Arteta stated.
In Ødegaard's absence, Eberechi Eze is a likely candidate to step into the No. 10 role, as he has done previously. Other options include Martin Zubimendi and young prospect Ethan Nwaneri.
Arsenal have been dealing with several other injury concerns. Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke are also sidelined with knee injuries, while Gabriel Jesus is continuing his recovery from a long-term knee issue. However, there's positive news regarding Piero Hincapie, who has recovered from a groin injury and is available for selection. Declan Rice has also proven his fitness after a back injury scare.
