Premier League: Decoding Arsenal's injury woes ahead of Tottenham clash
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has sustained an ankle injury, casting uncertainty over his participation in the North London derby against Tottenham this weekend. The Norwegian player was seen using crutches while boarding a flight to London, following his injury during an UEFA Nations League match for Norway against Austria. The severity of Odegaard's injury is yet to be confirmed by Arsenal's medical team. Here we decode Arsenal's injury woes ahead of their clash against Tottenham in the Premier League.
Odegaard's injury details and initial diagnosis
Odegaard was forced to leave the field with assistance after twisting his ankle in the second half of Norway's game. As per Sky Sports, Norway's head coach Stale Solbakken, expressed concern about the player's condition, stating "It looked bad in the dressing room too." However, team doctor Ola Sand initially diagnosed it as a "small ankle sprain."
Odegaard to undergo further medical evaluation in London
Odegaard is set to undergo an MRI scan at Arsenal after returning to London. The club plans to assess his condition on Tuesday but his participation in the upcoming match against Tottenham remains doubtful. Images of Odegaard using crutches have sparked concerns about a potential extended absence from the field. This development comes as another setback for Arsenal, who are already dealing with injuries and suspensions within their squad.
Arsenal's squad challenges ahead of North London derby
Mikel Merino, who arrived from Real Sociedad in the summer, is sidelined with a fractured shoulder and won't be available until October. He suffered the injury turing a training session. Declan Rice is suspended after being sent off for two yellow cards in a match against Brighton. Defender Riccardo Calafiori also suffered an injury during the international break. The Italian hurt his ankle but is already back in London and working to be ready for Sunday's game.
Arteta's potential strategies amid squad challenges
Arteta could play Kai Havertz as a number 10, depending on Gabriel Jesus's availability. Raheem Sterling could also make his debut. He could come on as a substitute for Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard. Arsenal's experienced midfield is set to have the likes of Thomas Partey and Jorginho. There are several youngsters on offer as well and Arteta could use the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Odegaard's performance for the Gunners
Odegaard has featured in three matches this season, but is yet to score or make an assist for the team. He played 48 matches for Arsenal last season and netted 11 goals and made 11 assists. He has netted 31 goals and made 23 assists for Arsenal in the Premier League in his 125 appearances for the club. In all competitions, Odegaard owns 35 goals for the Gunners in 156 matches.
Arsenal and Tottenham in Premier League 2024-25
After three matches, Arsenal are fourth in the Premier League 2024-25 standings with seven points (W2 D1). Meanwhile, Tottenham have collected four points from their opening three matches and are placed 10th.
