'I've never seen anything like it' - Arsenal 'could lose' star player to long-term injury after he was 'deliberately' hurt
Bernardo Silva was deliberately trying to hurt Martin Odegaard when he kicked out at him in Portugal's 2-1 win over Norway in the Nations League on Sunday.
That is the opinion of experienced former Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The incident took place in stoppage time, with the former Manchester City player kicking the Arsenal captain deep in Norway territory.
The moment seemed to be completely unwarranted, with Odegaard seen furiously confronting Silva as the game came to an end.
The midfielder has been in exceptional form this season after finally shaking off his persistent injury problems, but he was seen limping after the game on Sunday.
The 32-year-old later told the media that it is 'just football', but he has faced huge backlash and criticism on social media.
Bernardo Silva should have been given a 'red card'
Arsenal fans watching clips of Silva's challenge on Odegaard would have had flashbacks to March 2023.
In a game between Spain and Norway, then Man City midfielder Rodri targeted the Arsenal man with a horror tackle that could easily have injured him.
Luckily, the midfielder avoided any issues, but it was an ankle issue in 2024 suffered while on international duty that would begin the cycle of injuries that Odegaard has struggled with over the last two years.
"Arsenal could lose their captain. I've never seen anything like it, to be honest," King told Football Insider.
"He passed the ball and Silva came in and deliberately, and I mean deliberately, kicked him down. It's a red card. The referee was poor all night anyway.
"He missed a lot of stuff, and the Portuguese are very similar to South Americans in how they can break up play, you know. They foul, they niggle."
Martin Odegaard slams Silva in post-match comments
Arsenal and Mikel Arteta will now be holding their breath and hoping that Odegaard's injury is just an impact blow.
The 27-year-old looked in a lot of pain, and did not hold back in his comments after the game.
"You have to ask him," Odegaard told TV2. "I don't know what he's doing. It doesn't belong on a football field. It's a shame that people do that, but that's life.
"It's a head fog from him. [He] just kicks me down long after I've played the ball away. I don't understand what he's doing."
Asked if he could withdraw from the Norway squad for the remaining games, Odegaard said: "I hope not, but I got a knock on my ankle there, so it probably won't be good tonight."