In a blow to Arsenal’s burgeoning title hopes, manager Mikel Arteta has disclosed that club captain Martin Odegaard will be sidelined for “a number of weeks” with a knee injury. This revelation comes during a period of impressive form for the Gunners, who recently bested Newcastle and West Ham in the Premier League and secured a victory over Olympiacos in the Champions League. Odegaard’s injury is a setback during what has otherwise been a superb week, catapulting Arsenal above Liverpool to the Premier League summit after the Reds endured a trifecta of defeats.
Arteta, addressing the media on Friday, confirmed that Odegaard is grappling with a medial collateral ligament issue. “It will be weeks,” shared Arteta. “There’s no definite date for his return, but he is progressing well. He’s been quite unlucky with injuries this season, yet I believe he’ll be back in a few weeks. We need to monitor his recovery, see how the knee heals, and assess his response to rehabilitation. It’s too early for specifics.”
Despite this setback, Arteta expressed his satisfaction with Viktor Gyokeres, the Swedish international who has made a solid albeit mixed start with three goals in seven Premier League outings. Reflecting on Gyokeres’ contributions, Arteta commented, “He brings so much to the team. Upon reviewing the matches, I am very pleased with his input. During our first meeting, I told him, ‘The number nine for Arsenal must handle pressure, even if not scoring for stretches. You need composure and consistency.’ I want him to continue as he has been. Given the chances, I’m confident he’ll find the net.”
Arteta further addressed changes in Declan Rice’s role this season, acknowledging an adaptation process: “He’s adjusting to the squad’s dynamics and developing effective teamwork. With eight new players, different synergies are evolving. We aim to maximise his strengths in collaboration with teammates to enhance our overall performance.”
Despite challenges, Arteta highlighted numerous positives this season, admitting, “We’ve adjusted to squad needs, ensuring availability and contributions from every player, whether starting or not. We’ve become more unpredictable and consistent defensively, reaching a new level. The next step is sustaining and building on this progress.”