Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered a sobering update on the fitness of captain Martin Odegaard, confirming the playmaker has sustained significant ankle ligament damage. Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Atalanta, Mikel Arteta revealed that the Norwegian star will be sidelined for a considerable period, casting a shadow over Arsenal’s crucial upcoming fixtures, is including their Premier League showdown with Manchester City this Sunday.
Odegaard, who suffered the injury while on international duty with Norway, was seen on crutches upon his return to London. “After everything was scanned, the results showed damage, especially to one of the ankle ligaments,” Arteta stated. “We are going to miss him. It’s quite significant, and we will lose him for a while. Hopefully, it’s not months, but we’ll see.” This injury comes at a challenging time for the Gunners, as several key players, including Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney, are also out due to injuries.
Odegaard’s Absence a Major Blow Ahead of City Showdown
The timing of Odegaard’s injury could not be worse for Arsenal, with the Gunners set to face Premier League title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday. The absence of their captain, who has been pivotal in Arsenal’s resurgence over the last few seasons, leaves a significant gap in both leadership and creativity. Mikel Arteta, while visibly disappointed, remained cautiously optimistic. “He is one of our biggest players, not just in terms of talent but also in terms of influence. Our identity as a team is tied to his way of playing,” Arteta explained.
The upcoming match against City, already a high-stakes fixture, now looms larger for the Gunners, who will also be without Declan Rice, who is serving a suspension. Mikel Arteta’s men, however, showed resilience in the absence of both Odegaard and Rice in their recent 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Gabriel Magalhães’ decisive goal secured three vital points in that fixture, but the challenge of taking on City without their captain will undoubtedly test Arsenal’s depth and tactical flexibility.
Arteta Confident in Squad Depth Despite Injuries
Despite the growing list of injuries, Mikel Arteta expressed confidence in the depth of his squad to adapt and thrive without their talismanic captain. “This is a great test for the team,” Mikel Arteta said, addressing the potential for other players to step up in Odegaard’s absence. “We have other players and options that can still be very effective. It’s a chance for us to show a different face and prove our adaptability.”
The Gunners, who will face Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday before taking on City, will have a tight recovery window. When asked if the schedule puts Arsenal at a disadvantage, Arteta responded, “Hopefully not. We’ve got a lot of energy from our win against Spurs, and we’ll look to carry that momentum forward.” Arsenal fans will be hoping that energy, coupled with Arteta’s tactical acumen, will be enough to overcome their mounting injury challenges as they push to keep their Premier League title hopes alive.
Arsenal Captain to Miss Key Fixtures Against Atalanta and Manchester City
Odegaard’s absence is set to be a significant blow or Arsenal as the Gunners prepare for critical matches in both the Champions League and the Premier League. Arsenal will face Italian side Atalanta in their next Champions League group stage game on Thursday, and Odegaard’s creative influence in midfield will be sorely missed. His injury also rules him out of the highly anticipated Premier League clash against league leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
Arteta expressed his disappointment at losing such a pivotal player, emphasizing Odegaard’s role as a leader and key figure in the squad. “He’s our captain, and he’s been one of the biggest and best players in our team,” Mikel Arteta said. The manager acknowledged the challenge ahead for the team, as they will need to adapt to playing without their captain in these crucial fixtures.
