Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is about to be sidelined for a “few weeks” with a knee damage.
Odegaard sustained a medial collateral ligament damage through the 2-0 win over West Ham earlier than the worldwide break, main him to withdraw from worldwide responsibility for Norway.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta stated on Friday: “He will be weeks, no definite date for his return, but he’s evolving well. It’s very unlucky what’s happening with him and his injuries this season, but I think he will be back in a few weeks.
“It could possibly be [an absence until after the international break] however we must see how he’s progressing, how his knee is feeling, how he manages the following steps in his rehab, it is too early to get a solution.”
It’s the third damage blow Odegaard has suffered this season following two points together with his shoulder which compelled him off early towards Leeds in August earlier than later lacking three matches the following month.
Eberechi Eze, Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino can fill Odegaard’s place and when requested if Arsenal’s improved squad depth this season can soften the midfielder’s absence, Arteta stated: “That does not imply Martin is not a capital participant for us. He is essential and we’ve not had him because the begin of the season, like different gamers.
“But we are coping because we have players in the squad, with their qualities they are performing really well. But we need him back as he makes us a better team.”
Contemporary Odegaard damage will check Arteta
Evaluation by Sky Sports activities’ Laura Hunter:
Arsenal may be high of the Premier League, however they’ve taken some appreciable blows throughout the primary a part of this season. Recurring accidents have gotten a working theme.
In fact there are two sides of this coin. Mikel Arteta will level to how effectively his squad have coped with notable absentees. And he can be proper to.
Arsenal now have a gaggle able to conserving tempo with the most effective when Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, amongst others, have been lacking – that might not be stated of final season.
However the slog has, actually, solely simply begun. To have sustained so many accidents to key gamers this early on is a priority. Mainly, the lack of Odegaard to a distinct downside might be powerful for Arteta to take.
I used to be at Arsenal’s win over West Ham a fortnight in the past, when Arteta had the bravery to attempt Odegaard and Eberechi Eze in the identical system, just for the Gunners captain to limp off after half-hour. The conflict with Crysencio Summerville – knee on knee – regarded innocuous sufficient however clearly did injury.
The common time misplaced to an MCL damage is 41 days. It may be longer. The presence of Eze will soften the blow, with Ethan Nwaneri and even Mikel Merino additionally in a position to step in, however that is removed from good information when it comes to balancing fixtures throughout a number of competitions.
Within the meantime, the true depth of this Arsenal outfit might be put to the check, as will Arteta’s administration of a squad regarded as the strongest he is ever labored with. He actually can’t afford any additional setbacks.
Arsenal damage replace
Arsenal head to Fulham on Saturday night, stay on Sky Sports activities, with different damage issues for Arteta to handle.
Martin Zubimendi – did not prepare on Thursday
Arteta: “All the players come from different countries, different amount of games and minutes played. We believe it was the right thing to do. His load has been really high, but he will be available.”
Ben White – did not prepare on Thursday
Arteta: “Very similar. We are monitoring all the players, we give a specific menu to each of them!”
Piero Hincapie – groin
Arteta: “He is training again with us. If everything is right, he will be available as well. We really want that, he is going to bring something different to the team, we need to get him going, get him up to speed to get him up to the level.”
Noni Madueke – knee
Arteta: “Getting closer. He’s going to start very soon to do some running.”
Kai Havertz – knee
Arteta: “Very difficult, there is a lot to do in his rehab. He’s really pushing, that’s why we love Kai. We are doing very good work with him. He wants to break every timeline, I’m sure. But we have to protect him and make sure when he comes back, he’s back for the long-term.”
Arsenal’s subsequent 5 fixtures
Saturday 18th October 5:00pm
Kick off 5:30pm
Fulham (A) – Premier League – Saturday October 18, stay on Sky Sports activities
Atletico Madrid (H) – Champions League – Tuesday October 21
Crystal Palace (H) – Premier League – Sunday October 26, stay on Sky Sports activities
Brighton (H) – Carabao Cup fourth spherical – Wednesday October 29, stay on Sky Sports activities
Burnley (A) – Premier League – Saturday November 1
