The manager of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, has experienced a setback upon learning the estimated duration of Martin Odegaard’s absence due to injury.
The 26-year-old sustained a medial collateral ligament (MCL) problem during his team’s 2-0 triumph over West Ham on October 4. He was substituted after just half an hour in what marked Arteta’s 300th game as the club’s manager.
Initially, the club stated that the Norway international would be unavailable until the ongoing international break, without specifying a return date. However, they have now released information regarding the anticipated timeframe for his recovery.
Arsenal’s Insight into Martin Odegaard’s Recovery Period
According to the BBC, Odegaard is now projected to return to action after the November international break.
Consequently, the Gunners’ captain will be absent from Premier League games versus Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Sunderland, in addition to Champions League encounters with Atletico Madrid and Slavia Prague.
Arsenal is scheduled to play Tottenham in a north London derby on November 23, following the November international break. Odegaard will likely aim to return for this particular match.
Arteta is likely mindful that this recent setback occurred following Odegaard’s substitution during the first half of three successive Premier League fixtures.
Mikel Merino, who represents Spain on the international stage, has been Arteta’s primary choice to take Idegaard’s place. Odegaard has been dealing with a shoulder problem. Merino has been playing alongside Declan Rice, while Martin Zubimendi has been positioned behind them.
Other possible replacements for the former Real Madrid player in his usual position include Eberechi Eze, who was acquired during the summer, and Ethan Nwaneri, a player developed within the club’s academy.
Following the West Ham match, Arteta commented on Odegaard’s absence, stating, “Yes, we haven’t had him from the beginning for various reasons. He’s had shoulder issues twice, and now this injury. We have to wait to determine the full extent of the injury.”
“We will have to come up with solutions, but it’s clear that [Odegaard] is our captain and a player who provides us with a distinctly different dimension through his capabilities, particularly in attack.”
Prior to the current international break, Arsenal overtook Liverpool and currently holds a one-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings early in the season.
