Mikel Arteta Confirms Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice Injury Concerns After Arsenal’s Win Over West Ham

Mikel Arteta confirms Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice injury concerns after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham at the Emirates.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed injury concerns for Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice following the Gunners’ 2-0 win over West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium. While the victory temporarily lifted Arsenal to the top of the Premier League, the sight of both midfield stars forced off the pitch cast a shadow over the result.

Captain Martin Odegaard was withdrawn in the 30th minute after a knee-to-knee collision with West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville. Despite attempting to play on, the Norwegian signaled for medical attention before leaving the pitch in frustration.

Arteta addressed the incident post-match, saying:

“He had a clash, knee to knee. Immediately, he was uncomfortable. He’s not positive about it. He has a brace on it. Hopefully it’s not that bad.”

This marks the third time this season Odegaard has been substituted before halftime due to injury, adding to his frustrating campaign after earlier shoulder problems.

Goalscorer Declan Rice was also forced off late in the second half, complaining of back pain. Arteta admitted the substitution was unusual, given Rice’s typical resilience:

“He’s not alright because he asked me to come off. He had pain in his back and could not carry on, which is very unusual for Declan.”

The setback could affect Rice’s availability for England’s upcoming international fixtures, pending medical assessments.

What the Injuries Mean for Arsenal

The timing of these injuries is worrying for Arsenal, with a busy run of Premier League and Champions League fixtures ahead. Odegaard has already been ruled out of Norway duty, while Rice’s England call-up is now in doubt.

Arteta may have to rely on squad depth in midfield to step in. The international break offers a brief window for recovery, but both players remain doubts for the Gunners’ return to action.

Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham—also marking Mikel Arteta’s 300th game in charge—highlighted their title credentials but also underlined their injury concerns. Fans will now await further updates, hoping both Odegaard and Rice can return quickly to keep Arsenal’s momentum alive.

Want more Arsenal updates? Visit our homepage.

All links on ArsenalTalks Shop are affiliate links. We may earn commissions that support our content—at no extra cost to you. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure for more information.