Arsenal FC is at the top of the Premier League table—but once again worried about one of its most important players: Martin Ödegaard has held a sad Premier League record since Saturday.
It was supposed to be a warning shot, a message to Liverpool FC, already their fiercest rival for the Premier League title. But first, Arsenal was plagued by injury worries again on Saturday afternoon—and once again, the problem child was Martin Ödegaard.
The Norwegian had created the Gunners’ first big chance in the 13th minute, before the fans at the Emirates held their breath seven minutes later. After a collision with West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville, the playmaker, who has been struggling with injuries recently, clutched his knee.
Ödegaard initially gritted his teeth, but had to be replaced in the 30th minute by summer signing Martin Zubimendi. The early substitution meant that Ödegaard unwittingly set a new Premier League record. For the third time in a row, Ödegaard had been in the starting line-up for a league game, but each time he had been substituted before half-time. This had never happened before in England’s top flight.
Still an assist provider against Olympiacos
Ödegaard had recently been plagued by shoulder problems, which had cost him early substitutions in matches against Leeds United (replaced in the 38th minute) and Nottingham Forest (replaced in the 18th minute). Last Wednesday, he played the full 90 minutes in the Champions League against Olympiacos Piraeus – and even set up Bukayo Saka’s late 2-0 winner.
Now it’s his knee. “He had a collision, knee to knee, and immediately felt uncomfortable,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta reported after the final whistle. Fortunately, even without their playmaker, the Gunners were able to win their home game against West Ham 2-0 in the end, with Declan Rice and Saka scoring the goals. Arteta saw Ödegaard looking dejected and “not positive.” Further examinations should provide information about the severity of the injury. “We’ll wait and see, hopefully it’s not too bad,” Arteta concluded. In any case, the international break comes at the right time for Ödegaard and Arsenal. Fulham (October 18) and Atletico (October 21) await them afterwards.
