Arsenal's strong start to the season has been tempered by the news that captain Martin Odegaard will be sidelined for several weeks due to a knee injury. The midfielder sustained a medial collateral ligament injury during the 2-0 victory against West Ham United two weeks ago, forcing him to withdraw from Norway's squad for the October international matches.

Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the news, stating that there is "no definite date for his return". While initial reports suggested Odegaard could be out until after the November break, Arteta expressed hope for a sooner return, adding, "He will be weeks, no definite date for his return, but he's evolving well". He also described the situation as "very unlucky," considering Odegaard's prior shoulder issues this season. The 26-year-old has only played 204 minutes in the Premier League this term.

Odegaard's absence is a significant blow for Arsenal, who currently sit atop the Premier League standings with a one-point lead over Liverpool. His creativity, work rate, and leadership on the pitch are vital to the Gunners' attacking prowess and overall team performance.

Arteta acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Odegaard's recovery timeline, stating that his progress will depend on how his knee responds to rehabilitation. "It could be [an absence until after the international break], but we will have to see how he is progressing, how his knee is feeling, how he manages the next steps in his rehab; it's too early to get an answer," Arteta said.

Odegaard joins a list of Arsenal players currently dealing with knee injuries, including Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke. Despite these injury concerns, Arteta received a boost with the return of other players ahead of their match against Fulham.

Arsenal will be keen to maintain their strong defensive record, having restricted their opponents to fewer than 10 attempts in their last six Premier League games. They are seeking their first away win against Fulham since 2022-23.

While Odegaard's absence is a setback, Arsenal will need to rely on their squad depth and tactical flexibility to navigate the upcoming weeks. The Gunners will hope for a swift recovery for their captain as they aim to continue their impressive start to the Premier League season.