Arsenal has once again suffered a major setback

Arsenal encountered a significant shock as captain Martin Odegaard suffered a knee ligament injury, requiring a lengthy absence that endangers their Premier League championship pursuit.

Ahead of their Premier League round 9 match against Fulham, Arsenal received devastating news that captain Martin Odegaard injured his knee and will be sidelined for the next few weeks.

According to confirmation from coach Mikel Arteta, the Norwegian midfielder damaged the inner ligament of his left knee during the first half of the 2-0 victory over West Ham before the international break. This injury prevented him from joining the Norwegian national team and necessitates a mandatory recovery period.

Speaking at the pre-Fulham match press conference, Arteta stated: “Martin will be out for several weeks. There is no exact return date yet, but his recovery is progressing well. He is very professional, always giving his all to avoid injuries, but some situations are truly unavoidable.”

Losing Odegaard is a significant blow for Arsenal, especially as the team competes for the top spot against Liverpool and Manchester City. The 26-year-old midfielder is the heart of Mikel Arteta’s system, responsible for organizing play, controlling tempo, and creating breakthroughs from midfield.

With the captain sidelined, coach Arteta is likely to start Eberechi Eze, who replaced Odegaard in September, in the number 10 role. “We have to adapt. When options run out, it’s crucial for the whole team to change together to maintain stability,” Arteta shared.

Arsenal will visit Fulham’s Craven Cottage this weekend. The North London club aims for their sixth consecutive win to solidify their Premier League lead after surpassing Liverpool two weeks ago.

Besides Odegaard, the “Gunners” are dealing with a long injury list. Midfielder Kai Havertz, who has only played one match this season, is still recovering with no set return date. Arteta revealed: “Kai is working very hard. He wants to push all limits during his treatment, and the medical team is closely supporting him to help him return as soon as possible.”

A rare piece of good news comes from left-back Piero Hincapie, the loanee from Bayer Leverkusen, who has fully resumed training and is ready to play unless a last-minute issue arises.

Arteta emphasized that squad depth will be key in the upcoming period: “We have had to broaden our rotation options. Anyone coming on must make a positive impact. Arsenal has reached a new level, and now it’s time to maintain that consistency.”

Arsenal has not won in their last two away matches at Craven Cottage, drawing 1-1 last season and losing 1-2 in 2023. However, Arteta remains confident: “Fulham is a well-organized, disciplined team that always poses a challenge at home. But we are ready for this test.”

With Odegaard absent, Arsenal must prove they have the resilience to overcome adversity and continue their quest for the Premier League title this season.