Fitness expert: Martin Odegaard has suffered ‘completely different’ Arsenal injury in new blow
Martin Odegaard suffered yet another injury as his bad luck continued and he was forced off in the first-half of Arsenal’s 2-0 win against West Ham.
Arsenal went into the break in-front against West Ham on Saturday (4 October) thanks to Declan Rice‘s opener, but the first-half was marred by a new issue for club-captain Martin Odegaard.
The Norwegian playmaker clashed knees with Hammers winger Crysencio Summerville midway through the first-half, and even though he twice tried to play on, he was eventually forced off due to the issue on the half-hour mark.
Odegaard suffered a shoulder injury against Nottingham Forest last month as he then missed the next three Gunners games, and he has previous on the injury front after missing two months of last season with an ankle sprain.
Arsenal supporters will be hopeful that their captain is not set to be sidelined for an extended period of time once again, but Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Odegaard is in a brace following their 2-0 win over the Irons.
Odegaard’s injury not the same as his previous ones, Mikel Arteta did not take a risk in playing him
Odegaard made history against West Ham, as he became the first player ever in the Premier League to be substituted before half time in three consecutive league starts.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Arsenal’s former strength and conditioning assistant coach, Laurence Huthwaite gave his view on his latest injury and whether he should have started, saying: “It certainly wasn’t a risk [Mikel] Arteta playing his captain today. This new injury is completely different from the two previous ones.
“I haven’t seen the incident in real time, and the clash of knees looks like the impact is on the lateral side and just above his kneecap. There are a few potential outcomes from bone bruising, soft tissue contusions or meniscus damage, as in lots of cases it is too early to know.“
Odegaard could face a spell out of action but Arsenal need not worry
Following the West Ham clash, Arteta offered a full update on Odegaard’s condition, saying: “Well I think he had a clash knee-to-knee, and immediately he was uncomfortable. I just spoke to him, he’s not positive about it.
“We’ll have to wait and see the extent of that injury, and we’ll find solutions, but obviously he’s our captain is a player that gives us a completely different dimension with the things that he can do, especially in attacking, and let’s wait, and hopefully it’s not that bad.”
Odegaard is obviously a top player, but Arsenal fans and Arteta alike need not to worry too much if he is out of action once again, as they have already impressed without him in the team this season.
Eberechi Eze can create goals with ease from midfield, while highly-rated young playmaker Ethan Nwaneri recently signed a new Arsenal contract and deserves more chances to shine from the off for the Gunners this season.