Martin Ødegaard Knee Injury Rules Arsenal Captain Out Until Mid-November

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard suffers a knee ligament injury, sidelining him until mid-November in a major blow to Arteta’s plans.

Arsenal face a significant setback in their Premier League title ambitions as Martin Ødegaard knee injury will keep the captain out until mid-November. The Norwegian playmaker sustained a medial collateral ligament (MCL) issue during Arsenal’s recent 2-0 victory over West Ham United.

Ødegaard, who had just returned from a shoulder problem, left the pitch in the first half after colliding with West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville. This marks the third time this season the midfielder has exited early due to injury, intensifying concerns within the Arsenal camp.

Following medical scans, the club confirmed Ødegaard would miss Norway’s upcoming matches against Israel and New Zealand, later revealing that he had suffered a medial collateral ligament injury in his left knee.

Recovery Timeline

Recent report from BBC suggest the Arsenal captain will remain sidelined until after the November international break, potentially missing up to nine fixtures, including:

• Premier League games vs Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Sunderland
• Champions League ties against Atletico Madrid and Slavia Prague
• Carabao Cup last-16 clash with Brighton

Although not a full-grade tear, medical staff are expected to manage his recovery carefully to prevent further complications.

With Ødegaard sidelined, Mikel Arteta must rethink his midfield setup. Eberechi Eze could shoulder extra creative duties, while Declan Rice may take on a more central playmaking role.

The Gunners may also turn to youth option Ethan Nwaneri or tweak their system to spread creative responsibility across the pitch.

Tactical Impact

Without Ødegaard, Arsenal lose their main creative orchestrator, who is essential for pressing, tempo control, and transitions. His absence could force Arteta to rely more on the wide play of Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, adjusting the team’s attacking dynamics.

With several players already injured, Martin Ødegaard knee injury adds to Arsenal’s growing fitness concerns. Maintaining momentum through this challenging run will test Arteta’s tactical flexibility and the squad’s overall depth.

The timing of the injury could prove decisive, but Arsenal’s title aspirations now depend on how effectively they adapt without their influential captain.

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