Ødegaard ‘not positive’ after latest injury setback – Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed concern over captain Martin Ødegaard’s latest injury following the Gunners’ 2-0 Premier League victory against West Ham at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, coinciding with Arteta’s 300th match in charge. Ødegaard was substituted after 30 minutes due to a left knee problem, marking his third consecutive home match in which he exited before halftime. The club has yet to disclose the full extent of the injury.
Ødegaard’s recurring injuries have disrupted Arsenal’s campaign, having previously missed significant time due to two shoulder injuries. Speaking after the match, Arteta revealed the Norwegian midfielder was “not positive” about his condition after a knee-to-knee collision early in the game. “He immediately felt uncomfortable,” Arteta said. “He has a knee brace on now, and we will wait for the doctors’ assessment. It’s been very unlucky for us. He is a key player and our captain, providing a unique attacking dimension.”
Despite Ødegaard’s early exit, Arsenal secured the win thanks to goals from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. However, Rice also left the pitch in the 79th minute citing a back issue, which raised additional fitness concerns for the club. Arteta described Rice’s substitution as unusual and regrettable: “He asked to come off due to back pain, which is not common for him. We need to evaluate his condition.”
The victory marked Arteta’s 177th win as Arsenal manager, a milestone he commemorated with pride. “It is a big number for this club,” Arteta reflected. “I thank my coaching staff, who have supported me since day one. I wanted to celebrate with a win, which we did. Now we focus on the international break and preparation, as the upcoming fixtures are challenging.”
For West Ham, new manager Nuno Espirito Santo suffered his first defeat since taking over from Graham Potter last week. Nuno acknowledged Arsenal’s dominance, saying, “It was a tough game. Arsenal put us under pressure most of the match, and we struggled to impose ourselves. Defensively we did some good work, but it was a difficult afternoon.”
Ødegaard’s injury adds to Arsenal’s ongoing challenge of maintaining squad consistency amid key absences. His role as playmaker and captain is integral to Mikel Arteta’s tactical setup, emphasizing creative attacking transitions and midfield control. The club will be closely monitoring his recovery as they navigate a demanding Premier League schedule.