Arsenal Suffer Another Injury Blow as Key Star Faces Setback

Arsenal title chase faces another hurdle as Martin Ødegaard suffers fresh injury setback just as he was regaining fitness

Arsenal injury woes have deepened once again at a critical point in the 2025/26 Premier League season, with captain and midfield talisman Martin Ødegaard suffering a fresh setback as he was regaining fitness.

The Norwegian playmaker left Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg victory over Sporting CP in Lisbon on Tuesday night, April 7, with around 20 minutes remaining. Ødegaard showed clear discomfort as he walked off the pitch, sparking immediate concern among fans and staff.

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Ødegaard skipped Arsenal’s first-team training session on Thursday, which further fueled fears of a fresh injury. Reports suggested a possible knee issue, and Norwegian outlet TV2 first highlighted the setback before Norway national team manager Ståle Solbakken confirmed it.

At a press conference held on Thursday at Ullevaal Stadium, Solbakken addressed Ødegaard’s situation, playing down the severity but acknowledging the frustration for the player.

“Martin picked up one he shouldn’t have, but I don’t think it’s anything serious,” said Solbakken. “It’s a small setback, but it doesn’t have to mean much. I expect him back on the field in the not-too-distant future.”

The timing frustrates both Ødegaard and Arsenal, as the 27-year-old only recently returned from a series of muscle and knee problems that kept him out of 11 games since the turn of the year.

Ødegaard’s Setback During Crucial Phase

Ødegaard had started in Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Southampton and played in the Sporting CP match, hoping to build momentum as Arsenal continue their Premier League title run-in.

Arsenal currently sit nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with domestic action resuming this weekend. However, their hopes of a historic quadruple were already dented by exits in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. The Champions League remains their other major avenue for silverware, but Ødegaard’s absence is an unwelcome blow at a time when the team is facing an already lengthy injury list.

Alongside Ødegaard’s injury, Arsenal are currently dealing with a number of key players sidelined, including Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Piero Hincapié, and Riccardo Calafiori.

Mikel Arteta has managed a rotating midfield throughout the season, with players like Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, and others stepping up in Ødegaard’s absence. At times, Arsenal have sorely missed the Norwegian’s creativity, vision, and leadership, and his potential short-term unavailability could test the squad’s depth as they chase a first league title since 2004.

Optimism Amidst Setbacks

Solbakken strikes an optimistic tone, reassuring fans that Ødegaard’s injury should not lead to a long-term lay-off. “We don’t need any more setbacks now,” he added, reflecting the collective hope that Ødegaard can return quickly to help Arsenal’s dual ambitions in both the league and Europe.

Arsenal fans will be anxiously awaiting Arteta’s update during his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, ahead of Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Bournemouth. Early indications suggest the setback is minor, but in a season already plagued by injuries, any absence for their captain is unwelcome — especially as the business end of the campaign approaches.

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