Mikel Arteta shares Martin Odegaard injury update after major Arsenal blow vs West Ham
Martin Odegaard gave Arsenal supporters yet more injury concerns after leaving the pitch after just 30 minutes against West Ham.
Noni Madueke is already sidelined for Arsenal, joined by Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Piero Hincapie, with the Gunners having to deal with plenty of setbacks this season.
Bukayo Saka had picked up an injury earlier in the campaign, which saw him miss a handful of games, and now, Odegaard might be added to a growing list of unavailable stars at the Emirates Stadium.
While the Norway international has been a loyal servant over the years, he was easily replaced by Martin Zubimendi, with Eberechi Eze already on the pitch, and Declan Rice scored just eight minutes later.
El Hadji Malick Diouf brought down Jurrien Timber in the penalty area, which allowed Saka to add a second in a comfortable 2-0 win for the Gunners on Saturday, 4 October.
Mikel Arteta shares new update on Martin Odegaard’s injury
Odegaard managed just 30 minutes, trying to play on against the Hammers, before eventually being replaced during the first half, and this is not the first of his injuries this season.
Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “I’ve just spoken to him, he’s not positive. He has a brace on his knee.”
He was also forced off against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, managing just 38 and 18 minutes, respectively, so Arsenal fans will be in no mood for yet another injury blow.
Eberechi Eze can thrive in Odegaard’s absence at Arsenal
Arteta has been scared of putting too many attacking players on the pitch at once, at least he had been before facing West Ham, so there was a toss-up between Eze and Odegaard.
However, if the latter is unavailable, the former Crystal Palace man should get a run of games in the starting lineup, allowing him the chance to prove his pedigree for the Gunners.
Eze was dropped against Man City, and that was a decision that went down like a lead balloon with the supporters. Arteta appears to be quickly learning from his mistakes this season.
Starting Odegaard once again, with multiple injuries under his belt, might be one foolish decision, though.