Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard is a major doubt for the North London Derby following his injury in Norway’s Nations League match. The midfielder’s absence adds to Arsenal’s growing midfield crisis, leaving Mikel Arteta looking for solutions ahead of a crucial week of fixtures.
Arsenal’s captain Martin Ødegaard’s presence in Sunday’s highly anticipated North London Derby against their rival Tottenham is in serious doubt following his injury in the international duty with Norway.
The midfielder was seen using crutches after Norway’s Nations League match against Austria. Ødegaard twisted his ankle during the second half of Norway’s 1-0 victory in Oslo, this is big concerns over his availability for Arsenal’s crucial upcoming fixtures.
Norway head coach Stale Solbakken didn’t sugarcoat the situation, telling broadcaster TV2, “It looked bad in the dressing room too.” Though the initial diagnosis from team doctor Ola Sand described the injury as a “small ankle sprain,”
The Arsenal midfielder is set to undergo an MRI scan upon his return to London. Photographs published by Norwegian outlet VG show the midfielder boarding a plane with crutches, which further fuel the speculation of how terrible the injury is.
Ødegaard’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Mikel Arteta’s side as the Gunners midfield option has declined, and the potential absence of their captain leaves the Gunners vulnerable ahead of a critical stretch of matches.
The creative midfielder has been of great importance in Arsenal’s strong start to the season, and his absence would be a great blow for the gunners and could also affect their performances.
Looking at the Arsenal’s midfield crisis is the absence of new signing Mikel Merino, who sustained a shoulder injury in training and is not expected to be back on the pitch until October.
Declan Rice, another key player in the midfield, is suspended for Sunday’s derby due to his red card against Brighton, leaving Arteta with little choice in that department.
Arteta now faces the headache of reshaping his midfield for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The most likely short-term solution would be to redeploy Leandro Trossard in a central role, though Trossard is primarily known for his versatility as a winger. Another option could be Kai Havertz, who has experience playing in midfield, but his fitness is tied to Gabriel Jesus, who has been out of action since the season opener due to a groin injury.
If Trossard or Havertz is shifted into midfield, Raheem Sterling could be drafted into the starting lineup on the left wing, potentially making his Arsenal debut. Arteta’s only other experienced midfielders, Thomas Partey and Jorginho, could provide a more conservative solution, though none of them can give the same creative play like Ødegaard.
Another possibility could see Arteta turning to youth. Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are exciting young talents, but it would be a significant gamble to start them in such a high-stakes game.
Alternatively, Arteta could opt to move one of his defenders into midfield, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jurrien Timber being capable of playing in more advanced roles.
The timing of Ødegaard’s injury is particularly painful for Arsenal, as they not only face Tottenham but also begin their Champions League campaign on Thursday against Atalanta.
After the midweek fixture, they’ll face a quick turnaround to play Manchester City on Sunday in another key Premier League matchup. The potential absence of their captain through this period could bring down their momentum, making Ødegaard’s recovery a top priority.
Arteta now faces the challenge of managing a weakened squad through one of the most critical periods of the season, with Ødegaard’s fitness being one of the main issue in the hands of the Spaniard.
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