He has become the driving force for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, but the Gunners are now going to have to do without captain, Martin Odegaard, for at least 11 games.
The Norwegian picked up an injury during the Nations League game against Austria, and it immediately brings to mind whether having international breaks so close to the start of a season are actually a worthwhile venture at all.
Martin Odegaard will miss 11 games for Arsenal
Players are just building their fitness back up, and as such can be susceptible to injuries, perhaps because timing is slightly out and players are that split second late into a tackle.
Whatever the issue, to lose such vital exponents for the best part of two months at an important part of the season clearly is the biggest of blows for Arteta and the squad to have to deal with.
AS have published details of the 11 games that Odegaard will miss, and it makes for grim reading if you’re an Arsenal supporter:
- 19 Sept – Atalanta (A) – Champions League
- 22 Sept – Man City (A) – Premier League
- 28 Sept – Leicester City (H) – Premier League
- 1 Oct – Paris Saint-Germain (A) – Champions League
- 5 Oct – Southampton (H) – Premier League
- 19 Oct – Bournemouth (A) – Premier League
- 22 Oct – Shakhtar Donetsk (H) – Champions League
- 27 Oct – Liverpool (H) – Premier League
- 2 Nov – Newcastle United (A) – Premier League
- 6 Nov – Inter Milan (A) – Champions League
- 10 Nov – Chelsea (A) – Premier League
If one considers the Premier League to be Arteta’s priority, the games against Man City, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Chelsea loom largest, with respect to the other English top-flight opponents.
Missing half of the league stage in the newly revamped Champions League could also have dire consequences for the North Londoners.
There’s likely to be a temptation on all sides to get the player back as quickly as practicable, but Arsenal would be well advised not to rush Odegaard.
He’ll be required for the business end of the Premier League campaign and the latter stages of the Champions League if Arsenal qualify, so it’s time for others to step up in his stead.
Top photo by TERJE PEDERSEN/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
