Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is likely to miss the North London derby against Tottenham this Sunday due to an ankle injury he picked up while playing for Norway. He was taken off the field during a match against Austria, and although the severity of the injury is still being assessed, it seems unlikely he will be ready for the big game.
This injury comes at a tough time for Arsenal, as they are already missing several key midfielders. New signing Mikel Merino fractured his shoulder in training and is out until October, while Declan Rice is suspended after being sent off against Brighton. As a result, Arsenal will be without their first-choice midfield in an important week, which also includes games against Atalanta and Manchester City.
To replace Odegaard, Leandro Trossard might be moved into a central role, which could give Raheem Sterling his first start for Arsenal on the left wing. However, the absence of Rice leaves a gap in midfield, possibly requiring Oleksandr Zinchenko to step into a more advanced position. Arsenal are facing a midfield shortage, with other options like Thomas Partey, Jorginho, and Kai Havertz expected to play key roles.
This shortage is especially worrying because Odegaard is a crucial player for Arsenal. He was one of the Premier League’s most creative players last season and a key part of Arsenal’s pressing system. With Arsenal already dropping points this season, losing Odegaard ahead of these challenging matches could hurt their title chances.
